Benue Links, the state-owned transport company, says it has rescued 19 children from human traffickers in the past two weeks, reinforcing its role as a frontline partner in the battle against child exploitation.
The company’s General Manager, Comrade Alexander Fanafa, disclosed the development while addressing journalists in Makurdi over the weekend. He noted that the recoveries were made through the vigilance of the company’s safety and monitoring officers, who have been specially trained by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).
Fanafa recounted recent cases, including five minors intercepted last week on their way to Jos, Plateau State. “Somebody was taking them to Jos, and when our officers probed further, it turned out to be a trafficking case,” he explained.
He further revealed that 11 children trafficked from Benue to Lagos were rescued and returned to Makurdi two weeks ago, before being handed over to NAPTIP. In another instance, two minors were intercepted and one young girl was transported free of charge from Lagos to Zaki-Biam, where she was reunited with her parents.
Highlighting the disturbing spread of child trafficking across Nigeria, the GM stressed that Benue Links remains one of the few transport operators actively supporting NAPTIP’s rescue efforts. “We have safety officers and monitoring teams in place. Children trafficked from Benue using other transport companies are often brought back by Benue Links free of charge, and we ensure they are reunited with their families,” he said.
According to him, the company has set itself apart by not only detecting suspicious movements but also facilitating the safe return of victims. “We monitor passengers carefully. Our officers, including myself, have been trained by NAPTIP to detect and respond to trafficking cases,” he added.
With operations spanning 35 states across the country, Fanafa reaffirmed Benue Links’ commitment to strengthening its partnership with NAPTIP and other security agencies in order to curb trafficking and safeguard vulnerable children.
