The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has rescued two teenage boys from Akwa Ibom who were trafficked to Taraba for labour exploitation.
Uyo Zonal Commander of NAPTIP, Emmanuel Awhen, confirmed the rescue on Monday, revealing that the agency had received a report about the disappearance of 16-year-old Abasifreke Okon and 17-year-old Precious Ene, both residents of Uyo.
Investigations traced their disappearance to a suspect, Christian Gombe, who allegedly travelled to Uyo and lured the boys to Taraba with job promises—without their parent’s knowledge.
“Once we received the complaint, we immediately contacted our NAPTIP office in Taraba and informed them about the situation,” Awhen stated.
“A search for the boys commenced, and Gombe was reached. Upon realizing that NAPTIP was involved, he voluntarily agreed to send them back.”
The Uyo NAPTIP office also received support from the paramount ruler of Uyo, leading to the detention of a woman, Mrs Grace Ene, who was connected to the case.
Officers in Taraba contacted Gombe, instructing him to bring the boys to their office, which he promptly did.
One of the rescued boys recounted how they met Gombe at a BetNaija shop along Nwaniba Road, where he promised them work in Taraba.
“On February 12, he returned with travel tickets, and we left for Taraba the next day. Upon arrival, he provided us with accommodation and assigned us to sell building materials,” he explained.
Despite their work, the boys said they were never paid and were eventually sent back to Uyo, where they reunited with their families on March 14.
They expressed gratitude to NAPTIP, stating they had been uncomfortable in Taraba.
Commander Awhen urged parents to be cautious of individuals offering job opportunities to their children, warning that many fall victim to child labour and human trafficking.
He also warned traffickers to desist, emphasizing the government’s intensified efforts to combat the crime.
He encouraged victims, parents, and the public to report trafficking cases to NAPTIP through helplines: 08069539747, 08023574406, and 08035961835.
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