Taraba: Govt Partners Parents, NGOs In The Fight Against Child Trafficking

Like most parts of the country where the safety of children are no longer guaranteed, due to the hideous acts of some undesirable elements, Taraba state, as observed by The Guardian is not an exception.

Apart from raping of under-aged females, child trafficking and labour are common in the state. Activities of some school teachers, and principals towards their female students are disgusting and such has become a common phenomenon in the state.

The Guardian learnt that there was case where a principal of one of the private schools allegedly impregnated a fifteen year-old student of the school.

More to that, about 17 under-aged children whose age ranged from four to nine were recently rescued from their adaptor by the police in the state, while attempting to sail through River Benue to the neighbouring Plateau state.

Some children who were trafficked out of the state to the Federal Capital Territory Abuja and other states of the country were recently rescued by a non-governmental organization, name withheld.

Some parents were said to have been carrying out the ugly acts in collaboration with some influential persons who in turn shower such parents with gifts which include cash for releasing their children to be taken to unknown states. But state government and the Child Protection Network are working tirelessly to put an end to such practice.

Expressing his dismay at the development, the state governor, Arc. Darius Dickson Ishaku recently called on parents whose child or children have been reportedly missing to as a matter of urgency come to the state for verification and claim of their wards.

Particularly perturbed by the adoption of the 17 under-aged kids who were rescued by the police, the governor in his statement expressed shock and deep concern over the development.

Describing children as a special gift from God who deserve special care and love from the society, devoid of any form of abuse or illegal separation from their immediate families as seen in the case of those innocent children, the government according to Ishaku, “ will stand firm in fighting this unwholesome abuse of child right in the state.”

He also admonished parents and the public to be more vigilant and report any suspicious activities involving children or groups of children in transit to the public.”
Seven out of the 17 children are females whose ages ranged between four and eight years.

The Children who were rescued by the police from the suspect who has almost succeeded in crossing the River Benue along Ibi council in Taraba state to the neighbouring Plateau state are Daniel Bello (9 years), Masiru Nekan (9 years).

Others are Shagari Danjuma (8 years) Musa Yakubu (8years), Rabo Edem (8years), Sunday Adamu (8years), Dicson Tishi (7years), Ma Idi (6 years), Oliver Jimmy (6 years), Abednego Allahaji (6 years), Yahaya Bitrus (6 years), Blessing Lucky (6 years).

Also among the rescued children are Vilter Stephen (5years), Blessing John (5years), Obadiah Sabo (5years), Farida Danladi (5years) and Makambe Lowmb (4 years).