The present trend of child trafficking from the state has been denounced by Mrs. Sandra Chikan, Coordinator of the Child Protection Network in Plateau State.
In a statement made available to journalists in Jos yesterday, Chikan emphasized that they would no longer support illegal activities that involve tricking, coercing, or bribing young girls and children from Plateau State to leave their homes in order to transport them and force them to work, or selling and trafficking them for sexual exploitation.
Approximately ten underage Nigerian girls, who were trafficked to Ghana for prostitution, between the ages of fifteen and sixteen, were recently saved by the authorities.
According to her, “Because of the alarming increase in cases of child trafficking, young girls from Plateau State have on several occasions been lured by syndicates to other countries and states for prostitution and child labour.
“Child Protection Network condemns this dastardly act, and we call on parents and guardians to be aware of these criminals.
“Parents and community members should not fail in their primary responsibility of protecting and training their children.”
She urged local authorities to notify law enforcement of any illegal behavior and offenses.
“Government should explore options for implementing policies and engaging stakeholders in a concerted effort to combat this menace and criminality.”
Chikan described the situation as alarming and advocated for harsher punishment for abusers as a deterrent to others.
“This ugly trend must stop; we have to rise up against it; we will no longer condone this situation,” she stated.
