The under-aged Benue children being trafficked to Lagos for various forms of abuse have been successfully repatriated and handed over to the Benue State Government.

20 Trafficked Benue Children were on, Thursday, the 28th of January, rescued by Break The Silence Initiative Nigeria, BSiN, from a plantain chip factory owner in Ajah axis of Lagos state, while the perpetrator was apprehended.

The commissioner of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Mrs. Tabitha Igirgi, while receiving the children on behalf of the Benue State Government, appreciated the Break The Silence Initiative Nigeria, BSiN for its prompt interception and collaborations with relevant agencies which saw the return of the abused children.

The children rescued are indigenes of Vandeikya and Ushongo LGAs. They have been counseled and will be rehabilitated before uniting with their families. The perpetrators of the crime will be prosecuted upon completion of the investigation.

Hon. Asawa Joseph, the Executive Chairman, Ushongo LGA alongside his Vandeikya counterpart, Hon. Mrs. Kukase Garba and the Honourable member representing Ushongo at the State Assembly and Chairman, House Committee on Finance, Hon. Abbas I. Akoso, was also on the ground to receive the children.

In their separate remarks, appreciated the effort of Break The Silence Initiative Nigeria towards curbing crime, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders. The Honourable personalities further stressed the need for parents and guidance to be vigilant in their various communities and to report any strange move by anyone as these measures will help toward addressing such illicit tendencies.

Also, speaking at the occasion included the Eunice Spring Living Foundation, ESLF Program Manager, Tine Gernor, The Zonal Commandant, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, Benue State, and Mrs. Gloria Bai, who stressed the need for synergy as a key to addressing social ills in the society.

In her remark, the BSiN president, Mrs. Phoebe Dooshima Awange, commended the collaborative effort of the office of the First Lady of Benue state, The Special Adviser on Security, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, and other stakeholders to the success of the operation, while appealing to the state government to further strengthen the measures undertaken to checkmate entries at transport facilities as this will reduce the trafficking in persons to the barest minimum, just as she admonishes parents to prioritize education and never seek to allow their children sideline education in pursuit of menial jobs under whatever guise.

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Signed: Hon. Jeremiah Ikyernum,
Director, Media, and Publicity, Break The Silence Initiative Nigeria, BSiN

For: BSiN
31/01/2021