Benue Moves Against Human Traffickers, 63 Victims Rescued

The Benue State government has disclosed that 63 young girls and children across the 23 local government areas of the state have been rescued from suspected traffickers in the last year, bringing down the state’s global trafficking index from 13.2 to 12.0 per cent.

The principal special assistant (PSA) to the Governor on Human Trafficking and Child Labour Emmanuel Anundu, who disclosed this during a press conference in Makurdi disclosed that 16 suspects in connection with the trafficking of young girls and children have been arrested.

He informed that out of the 16 suspects undergoing interrogation, seven are already serving varying jail terms.

Anundu who commended Governor Hyacinth Alia for showing unwavering commitment towards eradicating this deadly and ugly menace, evidenced in the establishment of the office of the Principal Special Assistant (PSA) on Human Trafficking and Child Labour, described the gesture as a first of its kind in the state and Northern Nigeria.

The office, in collaboration with the National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), the Nigerian Immigration Service, International Organisations, and other various NGOs, has brought about a notable reduction in human trafficking incidents in the past year, as evidenced by the recent ranking in the global human trafficking index from 13.2 to 12.0%.

While commending the governor for his commitment to end human trafficking and child labour in the state, Anundu said his office has established a working synergy with the Nigeria Police Force to foster cooperation in curbing human trafficking in the state. They have also developed a working synergy with the Benue State Fashion Hub to create training programmes for survivors of human trafficking.