Benue Assembly Sounds Alarm on Missing Children, Calls for Urgent Police, DSS Probe

The Benue State House of Assembly has issued an urgent directive to the Commissioner of Police and the Director of State Services (DSS) to launch a thorough investigation into the alarming surge of missing children in the state. 

The resolution followed a compelling motion by Mr. Douglas Akya (APC/Makurdi South) during Thursday’s plenary session in Makurdi.

Akya revealed that seven children were abducted in Makurdi on September 1, spotlighting the growing crisis. 

Among the victims are four-year-old Kananfe Jika, five-year-old Shimen Tyonenge, and seven-year-old Kakuman Tyonenge, all from the Nigerian Correctional Service in Apir.

He said that the criminal acts had devastating effects on the physical, psychological and emotional well-being of children and undermined the security and social fabric of the state.

Akya further said that child trafficking was a grave violation of human rights.

According to him, Nigeria is a signatory to several international and regional conventions against child trafficking, including the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.

The legislator stated that the Child Rights Act 2003 criminalised trafficking and abduction of children.

He, however, said that despite the existence of extant laws and security agencies, the situation continues unabated.

The motion was seconded by Mr Terna Shimawua (APC/Kyan), stating that the motion was timely and further encouraged parents to be watchful.

Ruling, Speaker Mr Alfred Emberga called on the State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Ministry
of Justice and Public Order as well as other relevant agencies to prevent child trafficking and support victims and their families.

Emberga further called on the Nigerian Immigration Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) to strengthen their presence and operations especially at the border communities and transit points.

He mandated the House Committee on Local Government, Security and Chieftaincy Affairs to interact with the heads of security agencies operating within the state.

He urged the state government, in collaboration with faith-based organisations, traditional rulers and civil society organisations, to embark on a massive public sensitisation campaign on child protection and the dangers of trafficking.

He charged the Clerk, Dr Bem Mela, to address the resolutions of the motion to the relevant agencies for immediate action. (NAN