Niger State Receives 21 Minors Rescued from Trafficking
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has handed over 21 rescued minors to the Niger State Government. These boys, aged between 5 and 10 years, were intercepted by officers of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) at the Geidam border post in Yobe State while allegedly being trafficked to the Republic of Niger. The suspected trafficker claimed they were being taken to an Islamic school in Niger Republic, raising concerns given the availability of such schools within Nigeria.
Upon interception, the children were handed over to NAPTIP, which subsequently transferred them to the Niger State Government for rehabilitation and reunification with their families. The Director-General of NAPTIP, Binta Adamu-Bello, emphasized the importance of counseling for both the children and their parents, advocating for their enrollment in schools that offer both Islamic and Western education to ensure a holistic development.
Receiving the children on behalf of the state, Ahmed Suleiman Yumu, the Commissioner for Humanitarian and Disaster Management, expressed gratitude to NAPTIP and the NIS for their swift actions. He highlighted the need for increased public awareness to educate parents on the dangers of entrusting their children to unknown individuals under the guise of education.
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