The Taraba State Ministry of Women Affairs and Child Development, in collaboration with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, have rescued eight trafficked children in the state.
The rescued children, according to the duo, are from Minda Village in Lau local government council of the state.
Speaking at a press briefing on Friday, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Child Development, Mrs Mary Sinjen, revealed that the children were deceived and taken to southeastern states, including Aba, Onitsha, and Imo, under the false pretense that they were orphans.
Authorities, as made known by her intercepted the traffickers in Gembu, Sardauna Local Government Area, effectively disrupting their illegal operation.
Following an extensive investigation, the rescued children, she said, were reunited with their biological parents in March 2025.
“The victims confirmed that they had been sold without their families' knowledge”, she said.
Mrs Sinjen stated that the swift intervention of the Ministry and NAPTIP ensured the safe return of the children to Taraba State.
She further disclosed that the principal suspect, identified as Mrs Patience, along with several accomplices, has been arrested and is currently in custody while legal proceedings are ongoing.
Efforts, according to her, are still underway to locate and rescue any remaining trafficked children.
Condemning the act, Governor Dr Agbu Kefas reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting vulnerable children across the state.
Authorities also urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities, emphasizing that child protection is a shared responsibility.
The government further reiterated its commitment to ensuring justice, rehabilitating victims, and strengthening inter-agency collaboration to combat human trafficking effectively.
