Security lapses and systemic failures expose Nigerian children to traffickers

A National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons NAPTIP official noted that abductors target vulnerable areas, exploiting economic hardship and overcrowded communities. Hasana Jacob, a 33-year-old female truck driver, was arrested and convicted for leading an interstate child trafficking syndicate that stole and sold children for approximately N600,000 each. Her role as a truck driver facilitated the movement of children across the country, evading security checks.

Unofficial data suggests children are sold for N30,000 to N3 million in Nigeria's illicit market, with many women involved in the trade. Despite these challenges, NAPTIP reported rescuing 120 child victims and securing 93 convictions in 2025, intercepting over 2,500 potential victims. Rescue operations have included raids on unregistered orphanages and the recovery of children abducted from northern states and found in Asaba.

Rev. Ebenezer Alabi, Vice Chairman for Foreign Affairs of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation Africa, described the situation as alarming, citing a case of a minor trafficked across Mali, Libya, and Senegal. Child rights advocate Rosemary Okonkwo highlighted that many disappearances go unreported due to poverty and lack of trust in formal systems. Some communities ar