The Niger State Government announced on Wednesday the rescue of 21 children who were being trafficked to Niger Republic, Sudan, and Chad.
The children, all from Magama Local Government Area, were recruited by a syndicate under the guise of enrolling them in an Islamic learning program.
According to the Deputy Governor of Niger State, Yakubu Garba, the children were rescued after a suspected member of the syndicate was apprehended in Geidam, Yobe State, while transporting the children to Niger Republic.
Garba expressed shock and dismay over the circumstances surrounding the rescue operation, stating that human trafficking denigrates human dignity and contravenes Section 34 (1) of the 1999 Constitution as amended.
The Niger State Government has vowed to work with the federal government to combat human trafficking, which has been a persistent issue in the state.
The government has also urged the public to report any suspicious activities related to human trafficking.
The rescue of the 21 children is a welcome development in the fight against human trafficking in Niger State. However, more needs to be done to address the root causes of this issue and to bring perpetrators to justice.
