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Plateau Task Force Rescues Trafficked Children, Arrests Suspect in Major Crackdown

The operation, which was carried out by the Joint Task Force on Trafficking, resulted in the rescue of the two children and the arrest of a female suspect

A special task force established by the Plateau State Government has successfully intercepted two children being trafficked from Langtang South Local Government Area of the state to Lagos. The children were rescued during a well-coordinated operation that took place on Saturday.

Reports from PUNCH revealed that the operation, which was carried out by the Joint Task Force on Trafficking, resulted in the rescue of the two children and the arrest of a female suspect involved in the illicit activity. The incident took place at the Lagos park in Jos.

On Sunday, the Plateau State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Caroline Panglang Dafur, confirmed the incident, describing the rescue as a significant breakthrough in the fight against child trafficking. She explained that the children, who were of Tarok origin from Langtang South LGA, were about to be transported to Lagos to work for an unknown individual before being intercepted.

“The trafficker, identified as Mrs. Manwor Ayuba, was arrested at the Lagos park by the task force. She was attempting to ‘waybill’ the underage children to Lagos for exploitation. Child labour and exploitation is a serious crime on the Plateau, and we will continue to take decisive action against such acts,” Dafur stated.

The commissioner called on citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities that could be linked to trafficking. She emphasized the importance of community involvement in combating the menace, which she said was becoming a growing problem in the state.

In a related development, Christian Women for Excellence and Empowerment in Nigerian Society (CWEENS) expressed deep concern over the rising cases of human trafficking in Plateau State. The group called for urgent attention to the matter, highlighting the need for a comprehensive solution to tackle the issue.

At a press conference held in Jos, the National Coordinator of CWEENS, Prof. Oluwafunmilayo Para-Mallam, recalled a recent crackdown by the Joint Task Force, which led to the arrest of Pastor Dayo Bernard, who masterminded a child trafficking syndicate. Five children between the ages of two and four were rescued in that operation, further raising alarms about the escalating problem in the state.

The organization stressed the need for heightened community awareness and state response to protect vulnerable children from exploitation. They also urged the government to address the root causes of trafficking, such as poverty and unemployment, through the creation of vocational training and livelihood programmes to support vulnerable families.

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