The Niger state government has received 21 children rescued from human trafficking syndicate in Magama Local Government Area of the state.
Mr Yakubu Garba, Deputy Governor of the state, disclosed this in Minna on Wednesday.
He expressed shock and dismay over the recent rescue of 21 indigenes of the state from a syndicate of human traffickers.
Garba disclosed that the victims, all young boys between the age of 10, were from Magama Local Government Area of the state.
He disclosed that the suspected of human traffickers were apprehended in Geidam, Yobe State on their way to Niger Republic.
He said that investigation was ongoing to uncover those involved in the act.
Garba said human trafficking contravenes Section 34(1) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, which provides that every individual was entitled to respect for the dignity of his person.
He noted that human trafficking was a classical example of man’s inhumanity to man, with victims subjected to hard labour, prostitution, organ harvesting, and in some cases, reduced to guinea pigs for laboratory experiments.
He expressed the state government’s commitment to working with the Federal government to tame human trafficking.
The deputy governor noted that Niger had been grappling with terrorism and would not condone any tendency that undermines peace, stability, security, and well-being.
He vowed that the state government would be decisive in its approach and ensure the restoration of peace and human dignity in all parts of the state.
He called on local government councils chairmen, traditional leaders, religious leaders, and parents to be vigilant and report any suspicious conduct to law enforcement agencies.
He warned that parents who aid human trafficking would be dealt with accordingly.
He appreciated the Federal government, security agencies, and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Person (NAPTIP) for their efforts in arresting the suspects and returning victims to the state.
He also commended the media and resident Niger for their support, adding that no effort would be spared in the quest for a “New Niger”. (NAN)
