Kefas Orders Crackdown On Child Trafficking, Sexual Exploitation

Following reports of children being moved out of Taraba State for sexual exploitation, Governor Agbu Kefas has directed security agencies to intensify 24-hour surveillance and checks on vehicles, particularly at night to put an end to the trend.

The governor, who expressed concern over reports of children being taken out of Taraba for sex exploitation, particularly from parts of Karim Lamido local government area, said his administration was tracking the movement and would ensure that affected children were rescued and returned to the state.

Governor Kefas gave the directive yesterday while speaking during the sensitisation of the 16 local government chairmen on the implementation of the state’s agricultural mechanisation and rural road development programme.

He directed security agencies to intensify checks along routes leading from vulnerable communities.

The governor stressed that officers must interrogate suspicious movements irrespective of the status or personality of those involved.

“Henceforth, there will be no hiding place for criminals in the state,” the governor said.

He linked the security concerns to poor access to some rural communities, particularly Karim Lamido, saying inadequate road infrastructure had made it difficult for government officials and security agencies to effectively monitor activities in some parts of the state.

He said he had personally encountered difficulties accessing Karim Lamido because of poor road conditions, a the situation, which he observed could provide opportunities for criminal activities to thrive in remote communities.

The governor said the administration was therefore implementing an agricultural and rural development programme, aimed at opening up farming communities, improving road access and creating economic opportunities that would discourage criminal activities.

He disclosed that the state had acquired agricultural equipment worth N16 billion, which had already been delivered and tested for deployment under the programme.

According to him, the equipment would be used to open rural roads and connect farms to markets, while also supporting modern mechanised agriculture.

Governor Kefas said, the government deliberately partnered with Origin Tech Limited beyond the procurement of the equipment to ensure effective deployment, maintenance and measurable results.

He warned against repeating the experience of equipment procured by previous administrations which, according to him, were abandoned because of poor maintenance and lack of proper utilisation.

The governor said, involving local government councils was crucial because the programme was designed to reach communities directly rather than keeping the equipment in Jalingo.

He urged the council chairmen to work closely with communities and farmers, attract investors to their areas and ensure that the programme generated sustainable economic activities and revenue for the state.

“We want to move from that dependency to where we ourselves will generate our revenue and use it appropriately,” Kefas said.

Earlier, the chairman of Origin Tech Limited, Prince Sam Joseph, said Taraba was considered one of the viable states for the company’s accelerated and rural road development programme because of its geographical location and agricultural potential.

Prince Josep maintained, the programme would integrate rural road development with agriculture and livestock production, adding that six specialised agro-centres had already been developed under the partnership.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Prof Nicholas Oliver, said the sensitisation of the 16 local government chairmen was part of the preparations for the implementation of the Taraba Accelerated Agriculture and Rural Development Scheme.

He noted, the programme would cover agricultural production, mechanisation, irrigation, aggregation and processing, with road infrastructure connecting farmers to markets, storage facilities and processing centres.

The Taraba State chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Moses Hankeli, assured the governor of the councils’ cooperation towards the successful implementation of the programme.