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From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) said on Wednesday that its operatives have rescued three children whose mothers allegedly “rented” out to human traffickers for the purpose of street begging and making necessary financial returns as agreed.
NAPTIP, in a statement by its press officer, Vincent Adekoye, explained that the children were rescued during a routine undercover operation by operatives of the Rapid Response Unit of the Agency around Nyanya corridors, in Abuja.
Adekoye said that in the cause of preliminary interrogation, the children disclosed that the human traffickers often pay their mothers N3,000 a day for each child rented out.
He further explained: “These suspected human trafficking syndicates specialised in collecting babies with the connivance of other members of the gang, hire out these innocent children and position them at the roadsides at busy intersections and bus stops where they use them for alms begging.
“Their modus operandi is such that they will detail another older child to watch over the children as they move them from one point to another and also to ensure that the proceeds of the begging 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 7 and 9 months are made to face life-threatening situations on daily basis.”
Adekoye said the Director-General of NAPTIP, Prof. Fatima Waziri-Azi, has warned that all those involved including parents who give out their children for unclear purposes shall be fished out and prosecuted.
He said the Agency has also commenced discussions with the relevant Government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to increase vigilance within the identified black spots noted for street begging around the FCT.
