Security operatives apprehended Pastor Dayo Bernard on December 2, 2024 in Bukuru. Authorities allege that he was the ringleader of a child-trafficking syndicate.
The operation resulted in the rescue of five children, ages 2 to 4, who had been abducted from various homes in Jos, Plateau State. The police also napped other alleged key members of the trafficking ring. They are Rita Agboeze, Victoria Ugwu, Nanman Puntel, and Peter Ukwuani. The kids were abducted and sold under the guise of religious activities, according to ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Force Public Relations Officer.
Adejobi, in a statement, said the arrest of the pastor and his alleged accomplices, was part of the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to rid the country of child trafficking syndicates.
He added, “Through intelligence-led operations and collaboration with local authorities, we have successfully rescued innocent children and arrested individuals responsible for their abduction and exploitation. The police will continue to safeguard the rights of our children.”
The police authorities revealed that Pastor Bernard had confessed to abducting and selling 13 children. Some of them have already been recovered and safely returned to their families. These children were resettled with the assistance of the Plateau State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.
How child-trafficking networks operate, as police arrest pastor
As police arrest the pastor, it came to light that Child trafficking, particularly in regions like Plateau State, involves complex, multi-layered criminal networks. These networks typically target vulnerable families. A leader of an anti-trafficking advocacy group, Theresa Opador, said the traffickers often use religious or community trust to exploit their victims. The children are then used for forced labour, sexual exploitation, or illegal adoption.
Security experts suggest that child traffickers use various tactics. These include luring parents with false promises of work, education, or religious shelter, only to abduct and sell their children. These rings are often highly organized, with individuals acting as recruiters, transporters, and enforcers.
According to Bayo Olatunji, a security analyst, “These trafficking syndicates are highly deceptive. They exploit socio-economic challenges and prey on innocent families. What’s even more disturbing is the involvement of trusted individuals like religious leaders. This requires urgent attention from both the government and society.”
Recent police achievements
Aside from the police arrest of pastor over child-trafficking, Adejobi announced other successes achieved by the police. In November 2024, police operatives arrested Ogaga Dickson, a suspected member of an armed robbery syndicate that killed CSP Hassan Jega. Jega was the DPO of Agbarho Division in Delta State. Following the arrest, police recovered illegal firearms, including 14 AK-47 rifles, and seized six exotic vehicles used by the criminals.
Additionally, in a December 2024 operation, police operatives dismantled another child-trafficking ring in Kano State, rescuing eight children who were trafficked from rural villages.
A worrying increase
Child trafficking has been a persistent issue in Nigeria. But recent statistics show a worrying increase in these crimes. According to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), an estimated 200,000 children are trafficked annually in Nigeria. Many of them are subjected to forced labour, sexual exploitation, and other forms of abuse.
However, the relevant agencies have ramped up efforts to curb this issue. In comparison to past incidents, the proactive measures by the Nigeria Police are yielding results. In 2022, similar operations led to the rescue of 45 children in Lagos State, but many trafficking rings remained elusive.
Hon Matthew Tobi, a security consultant, stressed the need for increased awareness programs at the community level. This, he said, will toempower local residents to identify and report suspicious activities. “We must build a culture of vigilance and community cooperation to help the police root out these heinous syndicates,” he added.
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