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NAPTIP Begins Renewed Clampdown on Human Traffickers

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NAPTIP Begins Renewed Clampdown on Human Traffickers

NAPTIP Begins Renewed Clampdown on Human Traffickers

By: Michael Mike

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has begun a renewed clampdown on all child traffickers including those involved in buying and selling of human beings.

The agency in the last one year has rescued no fewer than 30 babies from criminal elements, traced the parents and reunited the babies with them while those arrested are facing prosecution in different courts across the country for child trafficking, according to a statement issued it’s Head, Press and Public Relations, Stella Nezan

According to the statement, the Director-General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Dr. Fatima Waziri-Azi has directed all Zonal and State Commanders of the agency across the country to commence surveillance operations within their jurisdiction to ensure that all child traffickers including those involved in buying and selling of human beings are apprehended and made to face the wrath of the law.

Also Read: Borno ministry confirms killing of lion in Konduga LG

Waziri-Azi also directed that all homes where buying and selling of babies are suspected to be going on (also known as baby factories) should be unearthed, shut down and the operators apprehended for prosecution. 

She directed the Zonal and State Commanders to liaise with sister law enforcement agencies within their areas of operation for joint actions to stem the tide of child abduction, trafficking and buying and selling of such children.

The Director-General who recalled the recent case in the Shongatedo area of Lagos State where a dispatch rider had a child in his dispatch box apparently meant to be delivered to someone, said that such cases should not be allowed to fester in Nigeria. 

She expressed confidence that the Nigerian Police Force, who is already handling the case, will get to the root of the matter, while stressing the readiness of the agency to work with the Police to investigate and prosecute all perpetrators.

She said: “We cannot allow this type of evil to continue in our country and before our eyes. The Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act 2015 empowers us to deal with all cases of human trafficking including the buying and selling of human beings as well as cruelty to children. Who knows the intentions of that dispatch rider and those that sent him? Who knows the state of the mother of that baby right now?

‘’We have already rescued many of such children over the years, traced the parents and reunited the children with them while prosecuting those involved, but we must do more as the crime is not abetting. Every day, the criminals are devising new strategies and we must in collaboration with other sister law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders including members of the public so that we can get ahead of this national crisis. That is why we are being paid by taxpayers, to protect them by delivering on our mandate.“

She lamented that: “These criminal elements do not mean well for the children and their parents. What drives them is the money they make from such sales while the agony of such parents and what becomes of the children do not matter to them. There is currently an entire value chain for the buying and selling of children in Nigeria.”

She also called on members of the public to be vigilant to the happenings within their environment as the criminals involved in the abduction and trafficking of the children are not strangers but people they know. “We are not saying that the members of the public should take the law into their hands by going after the criminals but rather, they should share intelligence with relevant agencies.”

She however, advised law enforcement agencies to make themselves trustworthy before the people so that the members of the public can have the confidence to share information and intelligence with them, noting that: “If the members of the public are not sure that you will protect their identities or bring the criminals before the law, they will not come to you.“

NAPTIP Begins Renewed Clampdown on Human Traffickers

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Herdsman, 36 cows shot dead in fresh unprovoked attack in Plateau

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Herdsman, 36 cows shot dead in fresh unprovoked attack in Plateau

By: Zagazola Makama

A herdsman has been killed and 36 cows shot dead by unknown assailants in a fresh attack at Ndinn village, Fan District of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.

Zagazola Makama report that the incident, which occurred on Monday evening, is the latest undocumented violent attacks that have continued to claim lives and property in parts of the state.

Witnesses said the attackers ambushed the herder, identified as Abubakar Alhaji Woda, while he was grazing his cattle, and shot him dead before opening fire on his herd, killing 36 cows on the spot.

Residents described the attack as unprovoked and expressed concern over the growing wave of insecurity in rural parts of Barkin Ladi and neighbouring local government areas.

They lamented that despite several similar attacks in recent weeks, no arrests have been made, and the perpetrators continue to operate with impunity.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the FUYODA Riyom chapter coordinator, Muhammad Saidu, described the attack as “a heartbreaking reminder of the persistent insecurity and injustice faced by peaceful Fulani communities in Plateau.”

“We strongly condemn this act of violence and call on the relevant authorities to ensure that justice is served,” Saidu said.

He prayed for the repose of the deceased’s soul and called on the government to take decisive steps to restore confidence among pastoral communities who continue to suffer silent losses in the ongoing communal crisis.

“May Almighty Allah grant Abubakar Alhaji Woda Jannatul Firdaus, forgive his shortcomings, and comfort his family with patience and strength during this difficult time,” he added.

However, as of the time of filing this report, there has been no official statement from the Plateau State Government or security agencies regarding the attack.

Zagazola report that the recurring cycle of violence in Plateau State has often been reported only from the angle of reprisals, while several attacks on herders go undocumented or receive limited attention.

Community leaders have called on security operatives to fish out the perpetrators and ensure justice is served to prevent further escalation of hostilities in the area.

Herdsman, 36 cows shot dead in fresh unprovoked attack in Plateau

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Again, Two Fulani women boy killed in fresh attack by Berom Militia along Mangu road, Plateau

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Again, Two Fulani women boy killed in fresh attack by Berom Militia along Mangu road, Plateau

By: Zagazola Makama

Armed men suspected to be members of a Berom militia have reportedly killed two Fulani women and a young boy in a fresh attack along the Mangu Road, near the NYSC orientation camp in Plateau State.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the victims were travelling in a commercial vehicle on Wednesday evening when they were stopped by the attackers, forced out of the car, and shot dead on the spot.

The incident is the latest in what residents describe as a disturbing and unprovoked pattern of targeted attacks against peaceful Fulani communities in parts of Plateau, particularly in Mangu, Barkin Ladi, and Riyom local government areas.

Community sources lamented that such attacks have become recurrent but rarely attract public condemnation or decisive government response, unlike reprisal incidents that often dominate media headlines.

They accused the state authorities of selective silence and inaction, noting that despite the frequency of these killings, little effort has been made to arrest or prosecute the perpetrators, many of whom are reportedly well known in the affected communities.

A youth leader in the area, who pleaded anonymity for security reasons, said the persistent attacks were pushing the communities toward despair.

“We have lost count of our people killed in unprovoked assaults. Sadly, the moment there is a reprisal, that is when the world takes notice. The government must rise above bias and protect everyone equally,” he said.

Security sources confirmed increased tension in the area following the latest killings, warning that unless prompt measures are taken, reprisal attacks could further escalate the fragile security situation in the state.

The Government of the state and Plateau State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement as of the time of filing this report.

Again, Two Fulani women boy killed in fresh attack by Berom Militia along Mangu road, Plateau

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Bandits abduct 30 villagers in Zamfara

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Bandits abduct 30 villagers in Zamfara

By: Zagazola Makama

Armed bandits have abducted 30 people during an attack on Zamfarawa village in Zugu District, Bukkuyum Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

Zagazola Makama report that the attack occurred on Oct. 7 at about 2:20 p.m., when a large number of bandits stormed the community, shooting sporadically to scare residents.

The hoodlums were said to have whisked away 30 villagers to an unknown destination.

Following the incident, security forces have intensified efforts to trace and rescue the abducted victims.
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