The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) in Kano has successfully rescued and reunited six street children with their families in the state, while also reuniting four victims of child trafficking.
Mr. Abdullahi Babale, the Kano Zonal Commander of NAPTIP, announced the development during a news conference on Thursday, noting that a concerned citizen, Kabir Abdulhamid, had rescued the six children along Zoo Road in Kano metropolis on Sept. 24 and handed them over to the agency.
The rescued children, all males aged between 7 and 9, were identified as four from Katsina, one from Azare in Bauchi State, and one from Niger Republic. Preliminary investigations revealed they had been living on the streets for over a year without any relatives in Kano.
“We provided them with new clothes, bags, shoes, food, and shelter before facilitating their transportation to Katsina and Bauchi to reunite them with their families,” Babale stated.
In addition, NAPTIP received four child trafficking victims, aged between 10 and 13, who were rescued by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF). A suspect linked to the crime was arrested for allegedly bringing the victims from Zaria to Kano with the intention of selling them.
The victims have since been reunited with their families, and the suspect is expected to be charged in court upon the completion of investigations.
Babale urged parents and guardians to closely monitor their wards and called on residents to report any suspicious cases of human trafficking. “The fight against human trafficking is a collective effort. NAPTIP remains committed to preventing all forms of exploitation against children and women, ensuring a safer and better society,” he added.
