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NAPTIP Asks Alleged Parents of Eight Trafficked Children to Come Out of the Shadow to Lay Claim to Parentage
NAPTIP Asks Alleged Parents of Eight Trafficked Children to Come Out of the Shadow to Lay Claim to Parentage
By: Michael Mike
The Director-General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Dr. Binta Bello has called on individuals claiming parentage of eight children recently rescued from a cartel of human traffickers in Asaba, Delta State capital to present themselves for investigation rather than resorting to social media campaigns and misinformation.
Speaking during a press briefing in Abuja on Friday, Bello who addressed the growing controversy surrounding a June 2025 operation conducted in Asaba, Delta State, where NAPTIP operatives rescued eight children allegedly trafficked from the northern part of the country, said: “This briefing is necessary to clarify several misleading narratives circulating online and in some media spaces, especially on social media.
“We owe it to the public and the government to set the record straight, especially in cases involving the welfare and safety of children.”
She explained that the rescue followed a petition submitted in December 2022 by Protection Against Abduction and Missing Children (PATAMOC), which triggered investigations by NAPTIP’s Kano Zonal Command. These investigations eventually led to the arrest of Hauwa Abubakar in Gombe State, who confessed to trafficking children and selling at least 21 of them to an individual identified as Nkechi Odlyne.
Bello said further investigations revealed that Odlyne had resold seven of these children to the proprietor of Happy Home Orphanage in Asaba, Mr. Christopher Nwoye for N450,000 each.
She explained that: “Upon his arrest, Christopher Nwoye admitted his role in the matter and returned the four children,” adding that: “He, along with Hauwa Abubakar and Nkechi Odlyne, is currently facing prosecution in Gombe State High Court.”
Bello noted that while three of the children were reunited with their biological parents from Gombe, a fourth child identified by a Kano-based mother as her missing daughter, Aisha Buhari had already been returned to the orphanage prior to identification.
The DG confirmed that the case is already at the Kano State Commission of Inquiry on Missing Children, and that NAPTIP had dispatched a joint team from its Abuja headquarters and Kano Zonal Command to rescue Aisha and conduct further assessments at the orphanage in Delta.
She noted that: “This was a lawful rescue operation conducted with full support from the Delta State Police Command. It was not an abduction as has been falsely claimed by some online commentators.”
She said the team, accompanied by members of PATAMOC and armed police officers, visited Happy Home Orphanage on June 15, 2025. Although the proprietor was absent, his wife was present, and over 70 children were profiled during the visit. Eight were identified based on photographs provided by the PATAMOC chairman.
She decried that despite the transparency of the process, Nwoye has since refused to make himself available for further questioning, instead launching an online smear campaign against NAPTIP and mobilizing women to lay conflicting claims to the rescued children.
Bello said: “We have made several attempts to reach Mr. Nwoye for questioning, both directly and through his lawyers. Rather than respond, he has chosen to attack the integrity of the agency.
“Let it be clear we are not against anyone making a claim over the children, but they must subject themselves to lawful investigation.”
She revealed that in the light of multiple claims from women in both Kano and Delta states, NAPTIP relocated the children from a Kano State shelter to a secure agency-run facility to ensure their protection during the investigation.
She insisted that: “We will not release any child to any claimant until investigations, including DNA tests, are fully concluded.”
The DG also called on the Delta State Government to open an independent investigation into the activities of Happy Home Orphanage, citing concerns about “unwholesome practices” reported at the facility.
“We echo the concerns already raised by the Delta State Commissioner for Women Affairs. The state must take decisive steps to unravel what is going on in that orphanage,” she added.
She however reiterated NAPTIP’s commitment to due process, emphasizing that agency’s legal mandate under the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015, empowers it to carry out rescues, investigate trafficking networks, and prosecute offenders.
She said: “NAPTIP is a law-abiding agency. However, we will not spare anyone found culpable in this matter,” adding that: “Those genuinely laying claim to the children should engage with us lawfully, not through blackmail or online theatrics.”
Bello therefore assured the public of the agency’s resolve to conclude the investigation swiftly, prosecute offenders, and ensure that the rescued children are safely reunited with their lawful families.
She promised that: “We remain focused on the children’s welfare and will continue to act in their best interests. The law will take its full course.”
NAPTIP Asks Alleged Parents of Eight Trafficked Children to Come Out of the Shadow to Lay Claim to Parentage
Zulum Visits Frontline Troops in Mairari, Inspects Dilapidated FGC Monguno
By: Our Reporter
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, on Tuesday, visited the Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Mairari to bolster the morale of troops on the frontline.
Mairari, a strategic town in the state, endured two insurgent attacks in December. On both occasions, the assaults were successfully repelled by troops, averting a significant security breach.
Governor Zulum, who is currently on a resilience-building tour of Northern Borno, commended the officers and men for their bravery and sacrifice, describing them as the backbone of peace and stability in the state.
“Your resilience and commitment inspire confidence in our people,” the Governor stated. “I want to assure you that my administration will continue to provide all necessary logistics and welfare support to boost your morale and enhance your operational effectiveness. Mairari will not fall.”
He emphasised that the state government, in collaboration with the Federal Government and military high command, would ensure a steady supply of operational logistics, mobility support, and welfare packages to keep troops combat-ready.
The Commander of Sector 3, Operation Hadin Kai, Major General Suleiman Saidu Tilawan, commended the Governor for his consistent and proactive support.
“The support we receive from the Borno State Government and the Theatre Commander has been exceptional,” he said. “It has translated into improved logistics, enhanced morale, and renewed confidence among our troops to confront threats head-on.”
Governor Zulum also interacted with residents of Mairari, listening to their concerns and commending their courage. He described the community as a symbol of resilience and announced cash assistance to those affected by the recent attacks to ease hardships and support recovery.
…Zulum Inspects Dilapidated FGC Monguno
Earlier in the day, Governor Zulum conducted an inspection of the abandoned Federal Government College in Monguno.
He assessed extensively damaged classrooms, vandalized laboratories, and deteriorating staff quarters, tangible reminders of the insurgency’s impact on public institutions.
The Governor said the purpose of the visit was to assess the damage and identify practical steps for the college’s full rehabilitation. “Education is the foundation upon which any peaceful, prosperous, and resilient society is built,” Governor Zulum stressed. “Rebuilding schools is central to the long-term recovery and stability of our dear state.”
He assured that his administration would spare no effort in restoring the school, with the ultimate goal of ensuring children from Monguno and neighbouring communities can access quality education.
During the inspection, Governor Zulum encountered widows who are taken refuge in some of the abandoned structures and provided them with cash assistance and facilitated the admission of some of their qualified daughters into the Monguno College of Nursing and Midwifery, offering them a pathway to education and future self-reliance.
Zulum Visits Frontline Troops in Mairari, Inspects Dilapidated FGC Monguno
News
Yuletide: NSCDC Deploys 55,000 Operatives Nationwide, Intensifies Intelligence to Tackle Insecurity
Yuletide: NSCDC Deploys 55,000 Operatives Nationwide, Intensifies Intelligence to Tackle Insecurity
By: Michael Mike
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has deployed over 55,000 operatives across the country to ensure public safety and protect critical national assets and infrastructure during the Christmas and New Year festivities.
The Commandant General of the Corps, Prof. Ahmed Audi, ordered the nationwide deployment as part of measures to strengthen the nation’s security architecture before, during and after the yuletide period.
Audi said the decision became imperative in view of the tendency of criminal elements to exploit festive periods to carry out acts of banditry, kidnapping, terrorism, insurgency and other crimes.
He stressed that many security threats could be effectively curtailed if citizens embraced the culture of providing credible and timely intelligence to security agencies. According to him, proactive intelligence-sharing would aid early intervention and lead to the arrest of individuals who pose threats to national security.
“To prevent crimes rather than react to them, it is imperative for members of the public to trust and collaborate with us by providing credible and timely information that will enable swift action,” the NSCDC boss said.
Audi directed Zonal Commanders to closely monitor formations under their jurisdiction, while State Commandants are to coordinate Area Commands, Divisional Offices and other operational units to ensure effective coverage.
He explained that the deployment involves both covert and overt operations, with full mobilisation of personnel aimed at guaranteeing maximum human security and safeguarding government assets nationwide.
Reaffirming the Corps’ commitment to national peace and stability, the NSCDC helmsman assured Nigerians of enhanced collaboration with sister security agencies to ensure a safe environment conducive to development.
He said: “Our unwavering commitment is to ensure a safe and secure environment, and this can only be achieved with the active support of the public.”
The assurance was contained in a statement signed by the National Public Relations Officer of the Corps, Afolabi Babawale.
Yuletide: NSCDC Deploys 55,000 Operatives Nationwide, Intensifies Intelligence to Tackle Insecurity
Military arrest policemen on VIP escort duty in violation of President Tinubu’s directive
By: Zagazola Makama
The military has arrested four police officers for allegedly providing unauthorised escort services to a VIP in contravention of the presidential directive on the withdrawal of policemen from VIP protection duties.
Police sources told Zagazola Makama that the arrest occurred on Dec. 17 at about 9:30 a.m., while the officers were reportedly on escort duty.
Those arrested were identified as ASP Musa Waziri and Insp. Jeremiah Achimogu both attached to 45 Police Mobile Force (PMF), Abuja; Insp. Awipi Terry of 21 PMF; and Insp. Hassan Baba of 50 PMF, Abuja.
According to security sources, the officers were arrested by military personnel after allegedly flouting the presidential order withdrawing police personnel from VIP escort duties.
The sources further disclosed that the policemen were dressed in uniforms similar to that of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), allegedly in an attempt to evade detection and deceive enforcement personnel.
The arrested officers have since been detained, while disciplinary procedures have been initiated against them in line with extant regulations.
The Federal Government had earlier directed the immediate withdrawal of police personnel from unauthorised VIP protection duties to redeploy manpower to core policing and internal security operations across the country.
Military arrest policemen on VIP escort duty in violation of President Tinubu’s directive
Zulum Visits Frontline Troops in Mairari, Inspects Dilapidated FGC Monguno
Yuletide: NSCDC Deploys 55,000 Operatives Nationwide, Intensifies Intelligence to Tackle Insecurity
Military arrest policemen on VIP escort duty in violation of President Tinubu’s directive
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