The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has successfully reunited a 5-year-old girl, Rahama Ibrahim, with her parents in Damaturu, Yobe State, after she was abducted months ago by a suspected child trafficker.
According to the agency, the suspect, a driver linked to criminal child theft activities, was intercepted and arrested in Abuja by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS). Both the suspect and an accomplice have since been charged to court in Abuja.
In a statement issued on Friday by the agency’s Press Officer, Vincent Adekoye, NAPTIP Director General, Binta Adamu Bello, cautioned parents against entrusting their children to casual acquaintances, unverified neighbours, or one-off service providers, stressing that such actions increase children’s vulnerability to trafficking and abduction.
The DG, represented by the Yobe State Commander of NAPTIP, Mr. Saleh Zakar, handed the child over to her family at the Government House in Damaturu.
Grateful for the agency’s efforts, the child’s father, Mallam Ibrahim, thanked NAPTIP for ensuring his daughter’s safety and providing her with care during the rescue process.
He said, “I thank the Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Director General of NAPTIP, for assisting my family in taking very good care of my daughter, who was stolen from us. When I came here now and saw my daughter, I noticed she is very neat and well taken care of. I thank the DG and all other Officers of NAPTIP. This Agency is doing a great work, and I thank them very much”.
The Yobe State Deputy Governor, Hon. Idi Barde Gubana, commended NAPTIP for its proactive counter trafficking activities and successful reintegration of the Child.
He assured the Agency of the support of the Yobe State Government.
The Director General while thanking the DSS for its sustained support and collaboration with the Agency, which culminated in the arrest of the suspect in Abuja, called on parents to ensure adequate care and protection for their children.
“I want to appeal to parents across the country to be vigilant and keep an eye on their children. It is very dangerous to keep your children in the care of strangers who come your way casually. Parent should also desist from sending their children on errands unaccompanied or a lonely road in the odd hours.
“On our part, we shall continue to ensure the protection of Nigerian children, and we thank all our partners who have continued to support our work.”
