The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, has announced the rescue of 96 trafficked children in Benue State and the successful reunification of 84 of them with their families. The operation marks one of the agency’s largest child-rescue missions this year.
According to NAPTIP, the children were intercepted during coordinated raids and intelligence-led operations across high-risk areas in Benue. Many were being moved under false promises of education, jobs, or better living conditions. The agency said traffickers often exploit poverty, displacement, and lack of information to lure minors across state lines.
NAPTIP teams, working with Benue State officials, security agencies, and community leaders, moved quickly to provide shelter, medical checks, and psychosocial support. After profiling and documentation, 84 children were confirmed to have traceable families and were reunited safely. The remaining 12 are still receiving care while the agency continues tracing their relatives and verifying claims.
Officials noted that Benue’s internal displacement challenges and border proximity make it vulnerable to trafficking networks. Children separated from families or living in camps are prime targets. NAPTIP said the rescue also uncovered recruitment tactics used by traffickers, including fake scholarship offers and “house-help” schemes.
The 12 children not yet reunited remain under NAPTIP’s protection and rehabilitation program. The agency is working with traditional rulers, NGOs, and the Benue State Ministry of Women Affairs to locate guardians and ensure safe return. Traffickers linked to the syndicate are under investigation for prosecution under the Trafficking in Persons Act.
The Director-General urged parents and guardians to verify any offer involving their children. “No genuine opportunity requires secrecy, rushed movement, or cutting off family contact,” NAPTIP said. Communities were advised to report suspicious movements of minors to the nearest police station or NAPTIP office.
This rescue sends a clear message: trafficking has no hiding place in Benue. For the 84 children back with family, it’s a second chance. For the 12 still waiting, NAPTIP says the search continues until every child is home.
If you suspect a child is being trafficked, call NAPTIP’s toll-free line 0703 000 2031. Support and counseling are also available for survivors and families.
