By Nahum Sule, Jalingo

The Taraba State Government, in collaboration with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), has intercepted eight trafficked children who were being transported to the South East and Cameroon.

Speaking to journalists in Jalingo, the Taraba State capital, the Commissioner of Women Affairs and Child Development, Mrs. Mary Sinjen said the children were reportedly deceived and taken to southeastern states in Nigeria.

The children, according to her, were trafficked to Aba, Onitsha, and Imo states under false claims that they were orphans.

She stressed that the children were intercepted in Gembu, the headquarters of Sardauna LGA, where the traffickers were reportedly shopping for more children to abduct.

She asserts that, “Following swift action by the Ministry and NAPTIP, eight of the children have been safely returned to Taraba State.

“The principal suspect, Mrs Patience, along with several of her collaborators, has been arrested and is currently in custody while legal proceedings are ongoing.

“Search and rescue operations are also continuing for other trafficked children.”

Sinjen also noted that the state government would not tolerate unscrupulous individuals violating the rights of children in pursuit of illicit wealth.

She said, “This administration remains fully committed to ensuring justice, rehabilitating victims, and strengthening inter-agency collaboration to combat child trafficking.

“We urge all residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities. The welfare and protection of our children is a shared responsibility.”

Meanwhile, authorities in Taraba have urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities, emphasising that safeguarding children is a collective responsibility.