An organised criminal groups have begun posing as civil society organisations, humanitarian workers and orphanage centre representatives to exploit vulnerable families and gain access to children.
CDA News Nigeria gathered that the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) rescued over 180 children allegedly trafficked from five states by criminal groups operating under the guise of CSOs, while the Oyo State Police Command separately rescued 17 children from an interstate trafficking syndicate spanning Oyo, Ogun and Delta states.
The Civil Society Network on Migration and Development said unscrupulous individuals increasingly masquerade as NGO and faith-based representatives, luring indigent rural families with promises of better education, only for children to end up as unpaid domestic servants vulnerable to abuse.
NAPTIP spokesperson Vincent Adekoye disclosed that the agency has heightened surveillance nationwide, sealing suspicious orphanage centres in Delta, Port Harcourt and the FCT, under directives from Director-General Binta Adamu. The Force Public Relations Officer, Anietie Iniedu, said the police’s anti-human trafficking unit had also been rejigged to strengthen enforcement.
Child-rights activist Temilola Salami warned that weak enforcement of the Child Rights Act, absence of a national database and adoption loopholes continue to expose children to exploitation, while experts urged donor agencies to vet organisations before releasing funds.
CDA News Nigeria will continue reporting on efforts to combat child trafficking.
Source verification: Adapted from Saturday PUNCH investigation. CDA News Nigeria adheres to strict editorial standards.
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