Kebbi Governor Reunites Five Children Rescued From Suspected Human Traffickers With Parents

Five children rescued from suspected human traffickers in Kebbi State have been reunited with their families after authorities intercepted them while they were allegedly being taken to Edo State.

The children were rescued after they were reportedly taken from their parents in Danko-Wasagu and Zuru Local Government Areas under the claim that they would be enrolled in modern schools. They were intercepted in Gusau, Zamfara State, while being transported out of the region.

Kebbi Governor Nasir Idris, represented by his Deputy, Senator Umar Abubakar Tafida, handed the children back to their parents during a ceremony in Birnin-Kebbi. The governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Ahmed Idris, confirmed the development.

Governor Idris warned parents against handing their children over to strangers whose identities, destinations and intentions they cannot verify. He stressed that parents have a responsibility to protect and care for their children and should not allow promises of better education to expose them to potential trafficking.

The governor also warned that the state government could take action against parents who deliberately neglect their responsibilities and permit their children to be taken to unknown destinations. The deputy governor similarly reprimanded the parents and urged them to exercise greater caution.

The State Commandant of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Misbau Iya Kaura, said five suspects had been arrested in connection with the case. He added that another suspect remained at large as investigations continued.

Iya Kaura appealed to the Kebbi State Government to provide suitable accommodation at the NAPTIP command for rescued victims who may need to remain there while investigations are conducted.

The Secretary to the State Government, Yakubu Bala Tafida, assured NAPTIP of the state’s support for measures aimed at protecting children and tackling human trafficking. The case highlights the risks children can face when they are moved across state lines through unverified arrangements presented as educational opportunities.