Child Trafficking: NSCDC Arrests 2 Suspects, Rescues 32 Minors In Ekiti
Operatives of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Ekiti State on Tuesday arrested two people suspected to be involved in child trafficking, saying 32 minors between the ages of five and 18 were also rescued during their operations.
According to the NSCDC Commandant in the State, Mr Donatus Ikemefuna , the two notorious child traffickers, Stephen Udoh and Ede Thomas were nabbed by his men for allegedly engaging in the trafficking of underage children from Benue to Ekiti and other Southwest States for Child’s Labour and prostitution.
He explained that the suspects were nabbed on Sunday after his men in the Counter Terrorism Unit went after them, following substantial evidence against the culprits revealed that many of the victims were primary and secondary school pupils .
Ikemefuna said the two, who are being detained by NSCDC, have been on the watch list of the Corps for over two months, and that following intelligence reports and strict monitoring of their movements in and out of the state, were able to establish a prima facie against them.
“During preliminary investigation, some of the unsuspecting victims confirmed that the duo of Udoh, a driver, and Thomas, promised to give them jobs with good monthly wages in Ado Ekiti, Igbonla in Ondo State, Ogbomoso and Oyo towns without details of the kinds of jobs, but this has proven overtime to be child labour done in form of house helps and prostitution.
“The victims confirmed that Thomas facilitates the business trips every month on special request from these states. Most of them affirmed that their parents are in the picture of the crime.
“The need to apprehend the suspects became necessary because the calls were many on the spate of child trafficking to Ekiti State, which can pose a threat in the nearest future. The importation and exportation of underage children to NSCDC is considered terrorism”.
Describing child trafficking as terrorism and slavery in the 20th century, the security chief said no efforts should be spared to nip such nefarious acts in the bud.
“We are handing them over to NAPTIP for proper action, because it is always in our culture to hand over culprits to proper government agencies for action”, he stated.