The Plateau State Gender and Equal Opportunities Commission says it has rescued five children allegedly being trafficked to Calabar, Cross River State, and arrested three suspects in connection with the incident.
The commission’s Chairperson, Olivia Dazyam, said the operation was carried out on Thursday in collaboration with security agencies and officials of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP). The suspects — identified as Lydia Bulus, Linda Monday and Esther Solomon — were arrested at Ngo Tallatu Jang Motor Park in Jos.
According to the commission, three of the rescued children are from Utan community in Jos North Local Government Area, while two others, who are twins, are from Irigwe Chiefdom in Bassa LGA.
Dazyam said the rescue followed a tip-off. She expressed concern that cases of child trafficking persist despite awareness campaigns across the state.
She urged residents and local government authorities to support efforts to curb human trafficking, describing it as a serious criminal offence under the law. She also advised parents to follow legal procedures in matters involving adoption or relocation of children.
Mrs. Miriam Riti, wife of the Chairman of Bassa LGA, confirmed receiving information about the case and described the incident as troubling.
Authorities said investigations are ongoing.
