Nigeria authorities intercept two child trafficking attempts

Authorities in Nigeria have intercepted two separate attempted human trafficking incidents involving young children.

In Cross River State, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) accused three workers of attempting to sell their employer’s two-year-old child in the Ogberia Ochoro community. The suspects allegedly claimed they were seeking revenge for unpaid wages, though the employer disputed these claims. The suspects were apprehended after a local farmer noticed their suspicious behavior. Investigations are ongoing to determine the actual ages of the suspects, which may impact legal proceedings.

In Taraba State, police arrested two women in Jalingo for allegedly attempting to traffic three girls, aged five to six, to Adamawa State. The suspects had reportedly rented a room near the children's families and deceived the mothers into letting the girls accompany them to a market. The attempt was thwarted when a commercial vehicle driver became suspicious and alerted the police. The children have since been reunited with their families.