Nation
NAPTIP Rescues Children Hired Daily From Their Parents
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has rescued three children hired for N3,000 daily from their parents.
Director General, NAPTIP, Professor Fatima Waziri-Azi, disclosed in a press release, that the suspects specialised in collecting babies in connivance with other members of the gang, hire out these innocent children and position them at the roadsides, busy intersections and bus stops, where they beg for alms.
She explained that the agency has commenced a manhunt for members of this criminal syndicate already implicated in this act as three of their victims were rescued.
The Agency also alerted Nigerians and specifically residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to recurring activities of human trafficking gangs.
In the release signed by the Agency’s Press Officer, Vincent Adekoya, NAPTIP said it is strategising on better ways of tackling emerging trends of human trafficking and other associated crimes across the country.
The DG revealed that during a routine undercover operation by operatives of the Rapid Response Unit of the Agency around the Abuja-Nyanya corridors, the operatives intercepted the syndicates and promptly rescued three children, all underaged, allegedly rented out by their mothers to the traffickers to beg for alms at one of the busy spots in the Nyanya area for N3, 000 a day, for each child.
“Their modus operandi is that they will detail another older child to watch over the children as they move them from one point to another, and also ensure that the proceeds are collected at intervals.
“These infants are exposed to harsh weather conditions on daily basis in a dusty and dirty environment even in the face of vehicular movement and other forms of abuse without proper feeding.
“This ugly development is one of the highest forms of cruelty as these children whose ages range between seven and nine years, are made to face life-threatening situations on daily basis”, Waziri-Azi lamented.
The Alliance Française Port Harcourt in conjunction with the Embassy of France Nigeria over the weekend joined the globe to campaign against the 2025 gender- based violence (GBV) with the theme: “16 Days of Activism Against Gender- Based Voice”
The event which took place at the event Hall of the Alliance Française Port Harcourt was in collaboration with the Female in Gaming Network, ( FIGN) and partnership with Nexal a body that seeks to promote online safety and responsible digital behaviour.
The Tide reports that the project which was aimed at promoting digital safety and girls inclusion in Gaming, with the initiative tagged ‘Gameover Gender- Base Violence’was part of the global campaign against gender- based Violence.
The activity which experienced a flavour of festivity was full of fun and excitements as participants took part in tournaments on popular digital games such as Mario kart and EAFC 25, with an intent to creating safer and more inclusive digital spaces.
The Director of the Alliance Française Port Harcourt, Mrs Marina Lacal said that these activities were designed to encourage inclusion of girls, team work and fair play on online gaming spaces, saying that the gaming world reflects these inequalities, where female players are often under represented.
According to her the main objectives of the initiative was to provide a supportive environment for girls and female in gaming network.
“GameOverGBV” is a project created to reshape this landscape by offering an innovative inclusiveness of girls on online digital Gaming community and digital environments that provide opportunities for creativity, learning and connection, but also fight against Gender-Based Violence Digital Gaming,”she said
She however, explained that the Digital Game, sport competitions, was launched to strengthen social and digital skills through games, workshops, and raise awareness among all young participants about respect, equality and digital citizenship.
The Tide News reports that in Port Harcourt, the competition brought together 100 young participants from three major universities: University of Port Harcourt, ( UNIPORT),Ignatius Ajuru University of Education(IAUE) and Rivers State University (RSU)as well as students from four selected secondary schools, Oginigba comprehensive Secondary.School, Vine lnternational, Virgo predicanda lnternational, and Excellent Montessori Secondary school.
“This is an approach where girls and boys can learn, play and collaborate in a more respectful and safe space for young women, while ensuring a safe, enjoyable and respectful digital environment. It also expose young women to cyberbullying, exclusion, sexist comments and online hate,” Mrs. Lacal said.
Earlier, a game developer Sophia Nei and her. team had engaged participants in an interactive session with the theme: “Can Video Games Be Safe Spaces For Girls?”
However, Mrs Nei and her team educated the girls on the benefits and violence on online digital gaming and urged them ( participants)to learn to say ‘No’ to Online hate, sexist and cyber bullying, while encouraging them(students) to stand up for themselves by reporting such issues to the appropriate authority.
Highlight of the competition was the awarding of prizes to winners by the Director of Alliance Française, Mrs Marina Lacal.
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