The Niger State government has received 21 children who were rescued from a human trafficking ring operating in Magama Local Government Area (LGA).
Deputy Governor Yakubu Garba made the announcement on Wednesday in Minna, expressing shock and outrage over the incident.
Garba revealed that the victims, all young boys aged 10, are from Magama LGA.
The suspected traffickers were apprehended in Geidam, Yobe, while attempting to transport the children to the Niger Republic.
The investigation into the syndicate is ongoing.
Human trafficking, Garba emphasized, violates Section 34(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which ensures every individual’s right to dignity.
He condemned the practice, highlighting the cruel nature of trafficking, which often subjects victims to forced labor, prostitution, organ harvesting, and even inhumane medical experimentation.
The deputy governor reiterated the state’s commitment to collaborating with the federal government to combat human trafficking, emphasizing that Niger State, already grappling with terrorism, would not tolerate actions that disrupt peace, security, and well-being.
He vowed that the state government would adopt a firm stance in addressing such crimes and restoring dignity across the state.
Garba called on local government chairpersons, traditional and religious leaders, and parents to stay alert and report suspicious activities to law enforcement agencies.
He also warned that parents who support human trafficking would face legal consequences.
He thanked the Federal Government, security agencies, and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for their role in rescuing the children and arresting the suspects involved in the trafficking ring.
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