Human Trafficking: Army Rescues Over 300 Under-aged In Kogi

The Army Records in Lokoja has intercepted another set of children from human traffickers barely two days after ten children were rescued on similar mission to Lagos.

The over 300 hundred children from Benue State were rescued by the men of the Quick Response Squad of the command of the Nigerian Army along Itobe-Ajaokuta and Okene Road, in the central axis of the state.

Major-General Alphonsus Chukwu, the Commander of the Army Records told newsmen in Lokoja over the weekend, that the vehicles moving the children to the western part of the country, was intercepted during a stop and search operation.

He disclosed that the children are between ages 10 and 15, while adult both males and females were above 18 years of age were heading? to the western states, Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Ondo and Ekiti, adding that the alleged human traffickers could not offer satisfactory explanation on their mission.

He pointed out that it was shocking when buses were arrested with over 300 children heading for the same destination, describing the ugly trend as not only unfortunate, but very disturbing.

Some of the children interviewed, told newsmen that they boarded the vehicles in Benue, pointing out that they were told a job would be waiting for them when they arrived at their destination.

It would be recalled that last Friday, one Mr. Sunday Agbo from Benue State was apprehended with 10 children by the men of the response squad at the same spot.

During interrogation, he disclosed that he was an agent to a woman based in Lagos, adding that he had been in the business for close to a decade.

He further said that he was merely assisting the children to secure job during holiday, saying all he got for his efforts was between N5, 000 to N10, 000.

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