Makurdi: The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) announced on Tuesday the successful rescue of 58 out of the 300 missing children in Benue. The disclosure was made during a press conference in Makurdi by Mrs. Gloria Bai, the Zonal Commander of NAPTIP Zonal Command, who was represented by Mr. Yusuf Abdul, the agency’s Head of Operations. The children were rescued during four separate operations.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, investigations into the matter began in May 2025. The survivors were retrieved from Yelewata, Ukpam, and Daudu communities in the Guma Local Government Area. The children, aged between two and eight years, were part of a larger group of 300 missing children. Bai confirmed the arrest of the gang leader, identified as Archbong, along with four other individuals. The investigation is ongoing to recover the remaining children.
Bai detailed the rescue operations, stating that the first recovery involved 20 children taken from Benue, specifically Guma LGA, to Nasarawa and Abuja. These children have since been reunited with their families. The second recovery occurred at three orphanage homes in Abuja, resulting in the rescue and family reunification of six children. The third operation led to additional arrests and the rescue of three children. The most recent rescue took place on January 12, with 29 children being recovered. Despite these efforts, only 58 of the 300 children have been rescued so far.
The zonal commander urged parents and guardians to remain vigilant against traffickers and report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station. Mrs. Martina Tselem, a mother of triplets among the rescued children, shared her experience with the press. She revealed that in 2024, she and others were misled by traffickers, who promised to fund their children’s education. Tselem, an internally displaced widow, discovered the deception during her husband’s funeral when the traffickers refused to return her children for the ceremony.
The community was initially convinced by the traffickers, who had presented their intentions to traditional rulers and camp chiefs. They claimed to offer support and relief following herders’ attacks. However, it became apparent that the promises were false, leading to complaints and demands for the children’s return. Tselem expressed her gratitude to NAPTIP and all those involved in ensuring the safe return of the children.
Edited by Bukola Adetoye and Peter Amine