Rhapsodi Affos Blog Reporter


The Taraba State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) successfully rescued sixteen victims and arrested two suspects involved in human trafficking.

The apprehended individuals, Daniel Mading and Federation Markus, were captured at the Jalingo Main Motor Park over the weekend while attempting to transport their sixteen victims, aged between ten and sixteen, to Benin, Edo State.

Of the sixteen victims, five were females and eleven were males from Zing and Bali Local Government Areas of Taraba State, where the illicit trade of child trafficking is reportedly thriving.


Preliminary investigations uncovered that the suspects are part of a larger syndicate specializing in trafficking underage children, falsely promising them a brighter future in distant Edo State. In reality, these children are often subjected to dehumanizing menial jobs, and the earnings from such labor are seized by their handlers.

Addressing the press in Jalingo, the Commandant of NSCDC Taraba State, Adamu Salihu, expressed concern over parents relinquishing their responsibility for raising their children to strangers, resulting in harm and unnecessary risks for the children.

Commandant Adamu highlighted that many trafficked children from the state are forced into child labor and prostitution, while others become victims of baby factories, organ harvesting, and money rituals.

He deplored the fact that these victims are typically of school age but are compelled to leave school by their parents, despite the state government's initiative of providing free and compulsory basic education for all children.

Governor Dr. Agbu Kefas's efforts in introducing free education were noted, with Commandant Adamu urging parents to cease selling their children under the guise of seeking better opportunities.

The Commandant called on all relevant stakeholders to implement effective measures to eradicate this menace in the state.

Subsequently, the two suspects and their victims have been handed over to NAPTIP for further investigation and prosecution, while efforts to track and apprehend other members of the child trafficking syndicate in Jalingo and Benin are ongoing.