In July 2025, the Adamawa State Government received intelligence on child trafficking after earlier reports in April when women rallied in Jambutu, Yola North, over missing children. Acting swiftly with security agencies, 12 out of 13 children aged between 4 and 9 were rescued from a trafficking ring and reunited with their parents, while the trafficker, Ngozi Abdulwahab, was arrested for selling the victims between ₦800,000 and ₦1.7 million each, Ngozi shared this while in custody.
“I grew up in mubi, my first husband introduced me to this lifestyle, we sold our son and grandson, we got divorce and i relocated to jambutu, started petti trading to attract children to my shop and sway them with child friendly things. I married my ally to make transporting the children easy for me, who was a former driver of Adamawa state transport corporation known as (Adamawa sunshine}. I bought him a car and we trafficked 13 children.”
In the early hours of today, I spoke with Mr Mustapha Tukur, the regional coordinator, Human rights, who played a vital role on the case from arrest to the reintegration of the children in Adamawa, he said
“The children were found physically and mentally well, 12 out of 13 were recovered from the perpetrators, the Adamawa state government ensure the children access all basic services by experts before reuniting with their family, he further states that the people who bought the children were mislead by the abductors, the said children were orphans and unaccompanied, who needed a better life, due to the insurgency in north east Nigeria. He urges the public to always use the appropriate and right channels of adopting children to avoid being incriminated in crimes, as this is a capital offence”
At the handover in Yola, Deputy Governor Professor Kaletapwa George Farauta commended security agencies, the Ministry of Women Affairs, and the media for their roles, noting that the children have been rehabilitated and supported with cash and relief items. In this regard, the Governor dedicated new facilities for NAPTIP to strengthen child protection systems, provide safe shelters, and ensure children’s long-term safety.
However, protecting children from trafficking is a shared responsibility. Parents, communities, schools, religious leaders, government institutions, security agencies, civil society, and the media all have critical roles in prevention, early detection, and reporting of suspicious activities. Child safety is vital for safeguarding children’s rights, protecting their future, and ensuring trust in institutions. The government stressed that trafficking is a punishable crime and pledged continued collaboration with stakeholders across Nigeria to dismantle trafficking networks, strengthen laws, monitor reintegration, and create a protective environment where children can grow safely and thrive.
Ajirijir Martins
Yola, Adamawa State
Nigeria.
