The alarming prevalence of girl child trafficking in Plateau State has severely hindered the progress and development of young girls in the region. This trafficking involves various forms of exploitation, including child labour, the illegal use of girls as domestic help outside the state, and the trafficking of girls for prostitution, all of which have devastating effects on the victims.
For example, girls trafficked for prostitution often endure life-threatening diseases, while others fall prey to ritualists and criminals who abuse and mistreat them to the point of death
However, girls trafficked as house helps in various homes outside the state face not only excessive workloads, such as cooking, washing, and caring for their employers’ children, but also reported cases of rape by the husbands or children of those who employed them. Victims are often threatened with harm if they attempt to report the abuse.
In fact, young girls from Plateau State have frequently been lured by trafficking syndicates to other states and even foreign countries for purposes of prostitution and child labour.
As a result, there is an urgent need for decisive action to address this growing menace in the state. Several stakeholders who spoke with LEADERSHIP Weekend highlighted the dangers of this practice, not only to the girl child but also to the state and society as a whole.
The first to express his concerns about this troubling issue is the President of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN), Rev. Dr. Amos Mohzo, who urged pastors to use the pulpit to raise awareness among their congregations about the increasing cases of child trafficking, particularly in Plateau State.
He noted that the sharp rise in child trafficking reports in the state is alarming, emphasising the need for church leaders to address families on the consequences of this immoral act and how it can be tackled.
Rev. Dr. Mohzo expressed concern over how some parents push their children to fend for themselves, which he pointed out exposes especially the girl child to the risk of prostitution. This, in turn, allows traffickers to exploit the situation, luring them to other states or even countries.
In his statement, he emphasised, “We are not lazy people to that extent in Plateau State, and as Christians, this should not be among us.”
In a related development, the Plateau State Government has accused certain lawyers, religious leaders, hospitals, and other institutions of being complicit in child trafficking within the state.
The state commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Panglang Dafur, made these remarks while inaugurating the state office of the Child Protection Network (CPN) in Jos. She highlighted that despite the government’s continuous efforts to combat child abuse in the state, some unpatriotic individuals, including influential figures, are obstructing these efforts.
We will prosecute anyone found guilty of child trafficking in any of the 17 local government areas of the state. This issue is not limited to individuals alone but involves institutions like schools, hospitals, and even legal practitioners. Unfortunately, some influential persons have been implicated in child trafficking, which is completely unacceptable,” stated Mrs. Panglang Dafur, the state commissioner for Women Affairs.
Speaking to our correspondent the state coordinator for the Child Protection Network,
Mrs. Sandra Chikan, highlighted the alarming rates of child molestation, abuse, and other related vices. She stressed the importance of collaborating with the state government to address these issues.
“This is the time to tighten our belts. We must unite and collaborate to tackle the pressing issues affecting our children. We can no longer afford to work in isolation; we must come together as a united front to confront this growing threat,” she said.
In Plateau State, a distressing reality persists, with many children falling victim to human trafficking. According to the state coordinator, some children in certain local government areas are falsely accused of witchcraft and subjected to severe mistreatment. In extreme instances, these children are even buried alive or killed.”Such acts are entirely unacceptable,” the state oordinator emphasised.
Recently, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) successfully rescued 14 children trafficked from Riyom LGA of Plateau State to Lagos. The children, aged between 13 and 17, were freed by NAPTIP’s zonal command in Ikeja, Lagos, following intelligence gathered from a reliable informant.
NAPTIP’s Plateau commandant, Adole Agada, handed over the children to the state government in Jos, ensuring their safe return.
He described the recent case as an outright case of child labour and exploitation, revealing that authorities acted upon a tip-off about three underage girls being trafficked from Plateau to Lagos. Following this lead, NAPTIP collaborated with relevant stakeholders to address the situation.
This latest operation comes on the heels of a previous rescue effort, where 10 Nigerian girls, aged 15 and 16, were freed from trafficking in neighboring Ghana, where they were being exploited for prostitution.
Meanwhile, the Plateau State Gender and Equal Opportunities Commission, in partnership with the Ministry of Women Affairs, reported the successful return of 39 children who had been trafficked across various regions of the country.
The acting executive chairperson of the Commission , Barr Olivia Dazyam , told LEADERSHIP Weekend in Jos that the commission was able to bring back some girls trafficked to Ghana, while adding that the masterminds are standing trial.
According to her, the agency has secured its first conviction, where the perpetrators has been sentenced to prison.
In order to further nipped the menace of child trafficking in the bud, the Plateau State Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with an international Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Both Ends Believing (BEB), and Association of Orphanages and Home Operators in Nigeria (ASOHON), to create digital identity of children in orphanages in the state.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is focused on supporting efforts to find permanent, safe, and loving families for children living in orphanages.
Both Ends Believing (BEB), a global non-profit organisation, utilises a unique technology known as Children First Software (CFS) to help children in institutions reunite with loving families. Through this software, BEB enables government authorities to transition vulnerable children to environments that offer them the opportunity to thrive and grow within a supportive family structure.
Mr. Bruce Graham, President of BEB, and Gabriel Oyedeji, President of the Association of Orphanages and Home operators in Nigeria (ASOHON), commended the Plateau State Government for its commitment to improving the lives of vulnerable children in the region.
The two leaders emphasised, “Our goal is to integrate children into safe and loving families. We work towards creating digital profiles for children in institutions around the world.”
The officials noted that the new system would enable authorities to effectively track orphanages, as well as identify unregistered, closed, or non-existent homes. They stressed that this development would significantly build trust in the process.
Similarly, Governor Caleb Mutfwang, in his New Year’s address, issued a stern warning to those involved in child trafficking. He condemned the actions of individuals who have turned child trafficking into a business for exploitation within the state.
Governor Mutfwang emphasised that his administration would take firm and decisive action against anyone involved in this criminal activity. He also urged parents to take full responsibility for raising their children and protecting them from such dangers.
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