The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Kebbi State Command, has rescued five underage children who were allegedly being taken to the Benin Republic by suspected traffickers under the guise of securing better educational opportunities for them.
The children were rescued in Edo State from a suspected trafficker identified as Pastor Ayuba, who was reportedly transporting them towards the Benin Republic.
The NAPTIP Commander in Kebbi State, Misbahu Iya Kaura, disclosed this while handing over the rescued children to the Kebbi State Government at the Government House in Birnin Kebbi.
According to Kaura, the suspect claimed to have the consent of the children’s parents to take them to the Benin Republic, where they would be enrolled in schools and given access to better educational opportunities.
He, however, warned that traffickers often use promises of education abroad to gain the trust of unsuspecting parents before subjecting children to abuse, exploitation or slavery.
Kaura confirmed that the principal suspect had been arrested and would be prosecuted after investigations are completed.
Receiving the children on behalf of the state government, Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris warned parents against allowing strangers or individuals with questionable intentions to take their children out of the country in the name of education.
The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Senator Abubakar Umar Tafidan Kabi, urged parents to thoroughly verify anyone offering to take their children abroad for educational purposes.
He also warned that parents who knowingly assist human traffickers would face the full weight of the law.
The Deputy Governor later reunited the rescued children with their parents.
One of the parents, Emmanuel Aduba, expressed appreciation to the Kebbi State Government and NAPTIP for rescuing the children and ensuring their safe return.
