The national agency for the prohibition of trafficking in persons has revealed that orphanage trafficking is one of the new emerging trends of human trafficking in Nigeria today.TVC News’ Esther Omopariola writes on this new trend, as NAPTIP rescues 75 children who were trafficked from an orphanage home in Abuja.
In his paper presentation to journalists at an ongoing training in Asaba, Delta state on Emerging Trends, Routes and Tricks in human trafficking, NAPTIP Director Public enlightenment, Josiah Emerole revealed that there are many homes in various parts of the country that claim to be orphanages but are not registered with the appropriate authorities.
According to him, “some criminal elements set up these homes, take children from vulnerable families, and bring them into these orphanage homes.
They do not take care of these children but use them to raise funds from unsuspecting visitors, who often give donations including money”.
He also revealed that there is a case where the agency is prosecuting a woman at an Abuja court, who is alleged to operate an orphanage home, and has sold children to different sources.
He warned Nigerians to make conscious efforts to verify any orphanage home they intend to visit from relevant state / local authorities, such as the ministry of women affairs and social development, social welfare and development , so they do not fall prey into patronizing fake orphanage homes who exploit children.
