NAPTIP: Rescues 180 from Child Trafficking Posing as CSOs Nigeria

• Organized criminal groups in Nigeria are posing as civil society organizations and orphanage representatives to traffic children.
• The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) recently rescued over 180 children allegedly trafficked by groups operating under false pretenses.
• The Oyo State Police Command also rescued 17 children from an interstate syndicate active across Oyo, Ogun, and Delta states.
• Experts warn that children moved by these traffickers often end up as unpaid domestic servants, vulnerable to severe abuse and exploitation.
• NAPTIP has increased surveillance, leading to the rescue of children and the sealing of suspicious orphanage centers in various parts of the country.

Organized criminal groups are now impersonating civil society organizations (CSOs), humanitarian workers, and representatives of orphanage centers in Nigeria, employing a sophisticated approach to exploit vulnerable families and gain access to children.

Organized criminal groups are now impersonating civil society organizations (CSOs), humanitarian workers, and representatives of orphanage centers in Nigeria, employing a sophisticated approach to exploit vulnerable families and gain access to children. This new modus operandi represents an alarming evolution in child trafficking tactics, leveraging trust and community structures for illicit gain.

These groups convince parents to surrender their children, often under false pretenses. The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) recently disclosed that it rescued over 180 children who were allegedly trafficked using this method. These victims were reportedly taken from five different states by criminal networks operating under the guise of CSOs, specifically targeting parents in various communities by presenting themselves as legitimate CSO representatives before absconding with the children.

Beyond NAPTIP's efforts, the Oyo State Police Command also reported a significant intervention, rescuing 17 children from an interstate child-stealing and trafficking syndicate. This particular network was found to be operating across multiple states, including Oyo, Ogun, and Delta, highlighting the widespread nature of the problem and the urgent need for robust Nigeria human trafficking law enforcement.

The Civil Society Network on Migration and Development has observed a growing trend where unscrupulous individuals masquerade as representatives of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), particularly those with faith-based or humanitarian affiliations, as well as orphanage centers. Their primary target remains indigent families, especially those residing in rural communities. These families are often lured by promises of enhanced educational opportunities and brighter futures for their children, only for the children to be subsequently exploited.

Angela Okoye, a member of the national working committee for the Civil Society Network on Migration and Development, emphasized the grim reality for children caught in these schemes. She stated that children moved to distant locations, away from their families and communities, become highly susceptible to maltreatment, abuse, exploitation, and other severe human rights violations. Many ultimately end up as domestic servants or house helps, frequently working without compensation.

Okoye urged NAPTIP and other relevant security and child-protection agencies to intensify their monitoring of organizations involved in child-focused interventions and to enhance their response mechanisms. Similarly, Bilikis Oladimeji, a national working committee member of the Federation of Muslim Women Associations in Nigeria and founder of the Balimod Women and Child Initiative, cautioned against individuals exploiting public sympathy for trafficking victims to illicitly solicit funds. She noted that genuine organizations face increased suspicion due to these fake NGOs seeking financial assistance without actually implementing the projects for which funds are requested. Oladimeji called for government agencies and donors to rigorously verify organizations seeking funds to assist trafficking victims and advocated for closer monitoring of orphanage homes to prevent further exploitation of children under institutional care.

In response to these alarming developments, Vincent Adekoye, spokesperson for the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), confirmed that the agency has significantly heightened its surveillance across the country. This intensified effort is specifically aimed at combating child trafficking and has led to the closure of several orphanage centers in various regions.

The increased NAPTIP orphanage surveillance Nigeria, conducted in collaboration with other law enforcement agencies, has already yielded results, including the rescue of numerous children and the sealing of suspicious orphanage centers in locations such as Delta, Port Harcourt, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), among other areas. These actions were taken based on reasonable suspicions, underscoring the commitment of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons to address this evolving threat of NAPTIP child trafficking posing as CSOs Nigeria.

Legal professionals advising NGOs, CSOs, or orphanages in Nigeria must counsel clients on enhanced due diligence and verification protocols to prevent impersonation by child traffickers and navigate increased regulatory scrutiny from NAPTIP. Compliance officers should review partner vetting processes to mitigate risks of organizational misuse in trafficking schemes.

Source: Reporting based on PUNCH investigations.