SWS Raises Alarm Over Rising Child Trafficking, Kidnapping Cases in Nigeria
By Roseline Okakah
The leadership of Standup for Women Society (SWS) has expressed concern over the increasing cases of child trafficking and kidnapping across Nigeria, describing the trend as a growing national crisis that requires urgent and coordinated intervention from government and relevant stakeholders.
In a statement issued through its Office of the Director of Media and Communications and signed by the International President, Barr. (Mrs) Deborah Ijadede Adetona, the organization condemned recent incidents of child trafficking and abduction reported in Oyo, Kebbi, Borno and other parts of the country.
According to the president, the persistent targeting of children by criminal networks poses a serious threat to their safety, dignity, rights and future.
Adetona said every child who is abducted, trafficked, exploited or subjected to violence represents a painful reminder of society’s collective responsibility to protect vulnerable members of the population.
The organization sympathized with families whose children have been kidnapped, trafficked or subjected to various forms of abuse, while commending survivors, parents, community leaders and stakeholders working to combat the menace.
While acknowledging efforts by security agencies and some state governments in rescuing victims and apprehending suspects, Adetona noted that reactive responses alone would not be sufficient to address the growing challenge.
“Nigeria requires a coordinated, proactive, and adequately funded national strategy to dismantle trafficking syndicates and eradicate child kidnapping across the country”, she added.
The president called for the establishment of a Presidential Task Force on Child Trafficking and Kidnapping to coordinate intelligence gathering, rescue operations, victim support services and prosecution efforts across the country.
Adetona also urged authorities to ensure the swift prosecution of traffickers and kidnappers, as well as public disclosure of convictions to serve as a deterrent and strengthen public confidence in the justice system.
She further advocated the establishment of functional state-owned shelters, rehabilitation centres and trauma recovery facilities in states identified as hotspots for child trafficking and kidnapping, including Oyo, Kebbi and Borno.
According to the president, rescued children require adequate support systems and reintegration programmes to recover from the psychological and emotional impact of their experiences.
Adetona also called for increased funding and operational support for NAPTIP, NSCDC, immigration authorities and community-based security structures to strengthen efforts against trafficking and kidnapping syndicates.
Among its recommendations, SWS advocated the creation of Child Protection Desks in schools, markets, motor parks, healthcare facilities and border communities to improve reporting, monitoring and response to child protection concerns.
SWS also emphasized the need for sustained public awareness campaigns in local languages to educate parents, guardians and communities on the tactics employed by traffickers and kidnappers.
SWS urged the Federal Government, National Assembly, state governors, traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organizations and citizens to treat child trafficking and kidnapping as matters of national security.
The organisation stressed that protecting children should not be left to the government alone but should be a collective responsibility involving every segment of society.
Speaking on the broader implications of the crisis, the organization noted that the objectives of children’s inclusion, protection and development cannot be achieved in an environment where children are exposed to trafficking, exploitation and violence.
SWS reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to collaborating with government institutions, development partners, civil society groups and communities to safeguard the rights and welfare of Nigerian children.
The organization also advocates for policies and actions aimed at ensuring that no Nigerian child is trafficked, abused, exploited or left behind.
