NAPTIP rescues 58 of 300 missing children in Benue

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has confirmed the rescue of 58 children out of about 300 reported missing in Benue State.

The Zonal Commander of NAPTIP in Makurdi, Mrs Gloria Bai, disclosed this on Tuesday while addressing journalists in Makurdi. She was represented at the briefing by the agency’s Head of Operations, Mr Yusuf Abdul.

Bai explained that the rescued children were recovered in four separate operations following investigations that commenced in May 2025.

She said the victims were traced to Yelewata, Ukpam and Daudu communities, all located in Guma Local Government Area of the state, adding that the children were aged between two and eight years.

According to the zonal commander, the suspected gang leader, identified as Archbong, alongside four other accomplices, has been arrested, while efforts are ongoing to locate and rescue the remaining children.

“We pulled all frantic efforts to investigate the case, and the command was able to make first, second, third and fourth recoveries of the survivors.

“The children involved are about 300 and between the ages of two and eight years.

“The 20 children who were taken from Benue, especially in Guma LGA, to Nasarawa and Abuja were retrieved at first instance. They have been reunited with their families,” she said.

Bai noted that during the second operation, six children were recovered from three orphanage homes in Abuja and reunited with their relatives.

“During the third recovery, we arrested some suspects too, and three children were rescued.

“The last rescue was on January 12, where 29 children were again rescued.

“Out of the 300 children, we have successfully rescued 58 children,” she said.

She advised parents and guardians to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious movement or activity involving children to security agencies.

Speaking earlier, Mrs Martina Tselem, whose triplets were among the rescued children, recounted how traffickers allegedly deceived parents at an internally displaced persons (IDP) camp in 2024 with promises of educational support.

Tselem, a widow, said she only realised the deception during the burial of her late husband.

“It started in 2024, when one man called Archibong came with Mercy and explained everything to our traditional rulers.

“Our chief at the IDP camp said the programme was a good one and even had it announced to the whole community for people to come out for registration.

“According to them, they were coming to support us, relieve our burden after the herders’ attack by taking our children, and help us train them.

“Infact, it was during the death of my husband that I discovered that they were fake and they even refused to bring my children to pay their last respects to their father,” she said.

She explained that parents began demanding the return of their children after losing contact with the traffickers, noting that no formal agreement was signed when the children were handed over.

Tselem expressed gratitude to NAPTIP and other concerned individuals for ensuring the safe return of the children.