The Adamawa State Government has rescued 14 children trafficked from the state to Anambra, where they were sold to buyers for amounts ranging between ₦800,000 and ₦1.7 million per child.
The children, aged between four and nine years, were formally reunited with their families on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, at an emotional ceremony held in Yola, the state capital.
Government Response to Rising Cases of Missing Children
Speaking at the event, the Deputy Governor of Adamawa State, Professor Kaletapwa George Farauta, explained that the rescue followed a surge in reports of missing children across the state in July 2025.
According to her, the state government launched a joint operation with security agencies, which eventually uncovered a child trafficking network linked to one Ngozi Abdulwahab, a suspected kingpin based in Jambutu Ward, Yola North Local Government Area.
Farauta disclosed that the suspect, who runs a small provision shop in the community, allegedly lured children with snacks and gifts before trafficking them to the southeastern region of Nigeria, where they were sold.
Deputy Governor’s Remarks
In her address, Prof. Farauta expressed both relief and concern over the development.
“It is a mixed feeling of sadness and joy. It is sad that Adamawa today has been placed on the map of an unfortunate monster ravaging the nation — the monster of child trafficking. This is a story we often hear happening far away, but unfortunately, it has caught up with us,” she said.
She added that the rescued children had been rehabilitated before being handed back to their families.
“This notorious trafficker perfected the art of trafficking minors aged four to nine years from various communities in Adamawa to the south-east. There, she sold the victims for paltry sums ranging from ₦800,000 to ₦1.7 million per child. Today, we have rescued 14 children and rehabilitated them,” the deputy governor stated.
Prosecution and Legal Framework
The deputy governor confirmed that the suspect and her accomplices would face trial under several laws, including:
- The Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015
- The Adamawa Child Protection Law, 2008
- The Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law, 2021
- Relevant provisions of the Penal Code of Adamawa State
She assured that the government would pursue the case to its logical conclusion to serve as a deterrent to others.
Support for Families
To support the victims’ families, Farauta announced that each would receive ₦100,000 cash assistance, along with food and non-food relief items, as part of the government’s immediate intervention.
She further pledged that the state would intensify efforts to safeguard children, strengthen community vigilance, and work with security agencies to dismantle trafficking syndicates operating within and outside Adamawa.
