The Niger State Command of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons has recorded a major breakthrough in its ongoing battle against child trafficking, following the successful rescue of six victims, including a pair of twin babies.
The development was made public by the State Commander, Emmanuel Awhen, during a formal handover event held in Minna.
At the gathering, some of the victims were reunited with their families, marking a significant moment in the agency’s sustained efforts to combat child trafficking and protect vulnerable citizens.
According to Awhen, the operation began after a distress report from a mother in Bida, who claimed that her newborn twins had been taken away under suspicious circumstances.
The babies were reportedly collected by a woman identified as a staff member of the local Social Welfare Department, who allegedly told the mother that the government intended to support the upbringing of the children.
What initially appeared to be a welfare intervention soon turned into a case of child trafficking, as investigations revealed that the twins had been illegally transferred through a health worker linked to the Federal Medical Centre Bida.
The babies were subsequently sold to individuals outside the state, specifically in Lagos and Anambra State.
Awhen disclosed that through coordinated intelligence and collaboration with other security agencies, NAPTIP operatives were able to track down the victims and secure their safe return.
The twins were eventually reunited with their biological mother in December 2025, in the presence of key government officials, including Hadiza Idris-Kuta.
As investigations deepened, authorities uncovered a broader human trafficking network linked to the same suspects.
The commander explained that another victim, a vulnerable woman in Bida, had been deceived using a similar tactic.
The suspects allegedly posed as government representatives offering educational and financial support for her children.
In the course of that deception, four children were taken from the woman.
Two of them were reportedly kept by the suspects and forced into domestic service, while the remaining two were trafficked and sold through the same channel to buyers in Abia State and Anambra State.
This pattern, Awhen noted, highlights the organized nature of child trafficking rings operating within and beyond Niger State.
He stressed that such criminal networks often exploit trust, poverty, and lack of awareness to carry out their activities.
Fortunately, the two children who had been kept by the suspects were later rescued during the investigation and safely returned to their parents.
The agency described the outcome as a critical success in its broader mission of child protection Nigeria, particularly in safeguarding minors from exploitation.
In total, seven suspects have been arrested in connection with the cases. Among them is a staff member of the Bida Local Government Council’s Social Welfare Department, a development that has raised concerns about insider involvement in Niger State crime related to trafficking.
Awhen commended the Niger State Government for its unwavering support, particularly through the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.
He noted that inter-agency cooperation has been vital in dismantling elements of the human trafficking network and ensuring justice for victims.
He also praised the role of other security outfits, including the anti-human trafficking unit of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, for their collaboration during the rescue and investigation phases.
The NAPTIP commander emphasized the importance of public awareness and vigilance, urging communities to report suspicious activities that may be linked to child trafficking.
He added that preventing such crimes requires a collective effort involving government institutions, security agencies, and the general public.
The agency reaffirmed its commitment to intensifying operations across Niger State and beyond, ensuring that traffickers are brought to justice while victims receive the care and support needed to rebuild their lives.
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