Kogi State Government has repatriated 34 trafficked children to Plateau State.
The State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development Hajia Fatima Kabir Buba disclosed this on Sunday during a press briefing in Lokoja.
It could be recalled that the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), on 16th December 2021 along the Okene-Lokoja Expressway intercepted two commercial buses – Toyota Sienna and a 12- seater Mazda with registration numbers Lagos LND124FV and Oyo BDJ-683YK respectively conveying minors from Ogun to Plateau State by a human trafficking syndicate.
The bus drivers during interrogation confirmed that the kids were handed over to them by a woman at Ijebu-Ode, known as Mama Blessing aka Martina to be conveyed to Abuja, adding that, on arrival in the FCT, the Woman is to call another bus driver who will convey the children to Riyom in Plateau State.
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, the Kogi State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajia Fatima Kabir Buba said the repatriated children are within the age of nine to 19 years respectively.
Continuing, Buba said, “After several interviews and investigations by the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development in Kogi State, we are meant to understand that all the trafficked Children are from Plateau State. The issue is still under investigation and the children were repatriated to their state (Plateau) and handed over to their Ministry of Women Affairs to reunite with their parents.
“It is important to state here gentlemen of the press that Kogi State Government under our amiable Governor Alhaji Yahaya Bello will continue to protect children and ensure that criminals have no breeding place in our State. Our administration will follow this incident to a logical conclusion and ensure that those behind this evil act are brought to book.
According to her, the ministry has already written to the Ministry of Women Affairs in Ogun State to track down the said woman, adding that, the Director Operations, National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) Mr Daniel Atokolo is making serious investigations to track down all the syndicates involved in the illegal business.
YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THESE HEADLINES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
FALSE! Yoruba Not An Official Language In Brazil
Claim: A national newspaper and multiple online platforms claim Brazil has adopted Yoruba as its official language and that the language would be included in primary and secondary schools curriculum.
Verdict: The claim is false. The content of the article published by these online platforms is not new; it has been recirculated several times and has been debunked.
Viral Voice Note On WhatsApp Billing False
Claim: A viral WhatsApp voice note, purportedly made by the director and CEO of WhatsApp, claims users will have to start paying for WhatsApp services.
Verdict: The viral WhatsApp voice note claim is a hoax. The content is not new and has been circulated as a broadcast message several times in the past.
Marburg Virus: What You Need To Know About Disease Recently Detected In West Africa
On Monday, August 9, 2021, the World Health Organisation (WHO) confirmed the first case of Marburg virus in West Africa in Guinea. This development has sent shivers down the spines of West Africans who are still grappling with the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. But before this dreaded disease is greeted by rumours and misinformation, here is what you have to know about the virus.APC states to establish Health Emergency Trust Fund…
FACT CHECK: US Did Not Give Nigeria 48 Hours Ultimatum To Detain Abba Kyari
CLAIM: Several social media posts claim the United States of America (USA) gave Nigeria’s Federal Government 48 hours to detain suspended Deputy Police Commissioner, Abba Kyari, or face severe sanctions.
VERDICT: The claim is false and misleading. The US did not give Nigerian Federal Government 48 hours ultimatum to detain Abba Kyari.
and then