Child trafficking is a global problem that affects millions of children every year. According to the United Nations, child trafficking is the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring, or receipt of children for the purpose of exploitation. Some of the forms of exploitation include forced labor, sexual exploitation, organ removal, illegal adoption, and forced marriage.

In Nigeria, child trafficking is a widespread and complex issue that involves various actors and factors. Poverty, unemployment, lack of education, corruption, and cultural practices are some of the drivers of child trafficking in the country. According to the U.S. State Department, Nigeria is a source, transit, and destination country for child trafficking.

One of the most shocking cases of child trafficking in Nigeria was recently exposed by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). The NSCDC arrested a man named Chinana Tali for allegedly attempting to sell his six-year-old son for N20 million (about $52,000) in Abuja, the capital city of Nigeria.

The NSCDC said that Tali was arrested at the point of sale after being lured to Abuja from Benue, a neighboring state. Tali claimed that he was the father of six children and that he wanted to sell one of his sons to raise money to take care of his large family.

“It is because of hardship and no money, so I need to find a way to train my other children,” Tali said.

The NSCDC said that Tali also offered to sell his daughter, whom he referred to as a “she-goat”, for N15 million (about $39,000) if he did not get a buyer for his son.

The NSCDC said that it used an undercover agent to pose as a buyer and arranged a meeting with Tali at a garden. The NSCDC also sent transport fare to Tali’s accomplice, who was supposed to bring the child to Abuja.

They stated that Tali was unaware that he was dealing with security operatives and that he was arrested with his son and his accomplice.

The NSCDC said that it handed over the suspects and the child to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for further investigation and possible prosecution.

NAPTIP is the federal agency responsible for combating human trafficking in Nigeria. NAPTIP said that it would conduct a thorough investigation into the case and ensure that justice is served.

NAPTIP also said that it would provide counseling and rehabilitation services to the child and reunite him with his mother, who was reportedly unaware of the father’s plan.

NAPTIP urged the public to report any suspicious cases of human trafficking to the agency or other relevant authorities. NAPTIP also advised parents and guardians to protect their children from traffickers and exploiters.

NAPTIP said that it was committed to ending human trafficking in Nigeria and collaborating with other stakeholders to achieve this goal.

Source: Vanguard