Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps The Kogi State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC has finalized arrangements to repatriate 25 children of Kaduna state origin trafficked to Kogi state.
The state Commandant of the corps, Commandant Ahmad Gandi, made the disclosure while parading the suspects in Lokoja, Capital of Kogi state, North Central Nigeria.
The Commandant disclosed that on the 20th of April 2023, the Command received a distress call from a good Samaritan that one Mustapha Sani, 13, was seen roaming the streets at odd hours, and on enquiry, the NSCDC operatives discovered that he was brought into the state by one Mathew Joseph from Kaduna state.
He stated that on receipt of the complaint, his men swung into action with the arrest of Mr. Matthew Joseph, the suspected trafficker who gave useful information during interrogation that led to the arrest of 22 foster fathers, and the recovery of 25 children from Kaduna State.
The Commandant while addressing the media, said Governor Yahaya Bello has shown a high level of interest in the matter as he had given necessary support to the command to ensure seamless repatriation of the children back to their state of origin for onward reunion with their parents.
Gandi said Kogi State ministry of women affairs and social development and its Kaduna State ministry of women affairs, have concluded arrangements for repatriation of the trafficked teenagers.
Kogi State women affairs Commissioner Mrs Hajara Buba, warned parents to be wary of the movement of their children to save children from abuse perpetrated by the traffickers.
The suspected trafficker, Matthew Joseph, who claimed to hail from Kajuru LGA in southern Kaduna state, said he saw the victims in pitiable conditions in his home state of Kaduna as a result of the activities of bandits in Southern Kaduna state, and was moved by their plight to traffick the children to Kogi State.
Joseph, said that his attempt to help them out of the of economic hardship encouraged the parents to willingly offer their children to him.
He added that he distributed the children to families in Lokoja to foster them, stressing that they are being adequately taken care of with some of them going to good schools.
Confidence Okwuchi
