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Plateau Gender Commission Raises Alarm Over Surge in Child Trafficking, Rescues 177 Children in Two Years

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Gender Commission,Child Trafficking, School Sensitization Campaigns

The Plateau State Gender and Equal Opportunities Commission (GEOC) has raised alarm over the rising cases of child trafficking across the state, warning that the situation has reached an “extremely disturbing” level requiring urgent, collective action.

Speaking during a press briefing to mark the Commission’s two-year anniversary in Jos, Chairperson, Barr. Olivia Dazyem, said child trafficking has become one of the most rampant forms of abuse threatening the safety and future of Plateau children. She disclosed that minors are now trafficked daily to major cities across the country and, in some cases, taken outside Nigeria.

Dazyem noted that the spike in cases prompted the Commission to launch an aggressive sensitization campaign across all 17 local government areas, targeting schools in the three senatorial zones. The outreach, she explained, focused on educating students on the methods used by traffickers, the dangers of child labour, and the value of staying in school.

“We chose to go directly to the students because they are the primary targets,” she said. “Some of the confessions and experiences shared during our engagements were shocking and heartbreaking. The threat is more widespread and more sophisticated than many people realize.”

177 Children Rescued, Trafficking Rings Disrupted

As part of its intensified operations, the Commission prevented 106 children from being trafficked and facilitated the return of 46 children already taken from their homes. GEOC also uncovered several cases involving the sale of babies and rescued 25 children from forced labour.

“These numbers show that we are confronting a severe national crisis with real consequences here on the Plateau,” Dazyem said. “Child trafficking is not just a crime—it is a violation of human dignity and a direct threat to our future.”

Community, Religious and Traditional Leaders Engaged

To strengthen vigilance at the grassroots, GEOC engaged religious leaders, women’s groups, community development associations and traditional rulers across the state. Dazyem said the engagements aimed to dispel harmful cultural and spiritual beliefs that indirectly encourage child exploitation, family breakdown and lack of parental responsibility.

“We visited churches and places of worship to preach the importance of protecting children and maintaining family unity. The response was encouraging, and many leaders pledged their support,” she added.

Capacity Building for Stakeholders

The Commission also trained social welfare directors, women development officers, mediators and information officers across the 17 LGAs on how to identify, document and refer cases of trafficking and gender-based violence. Journalists were trained on gender-sensitive reporting to improve public awareness and responsible media coverage.

Call for Stronger Community Vigilance

Dazyem urged parents, traditional rulers, security agencies and civil society to remain alert and report suspicious movements involving children, stressing that the fight cannot be won by the Commission alone.

“Child trafficking is a collective challenge,” she said. “The lives and futures of our children depend on how quickly we act and how committed we remain as a society.”

GEOC reaffirmed its commitment to expanding school outreach programmes, deepening partnerships with traditional institutions, advocating for stronger legal safeguards and collaborating with national and international organizations to combat child trafficking and related abuses.

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From Dialogue to Action: Reps Committee Leads Strategic Push for Lasting Peace in Plateau

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In a decisive move to confront the persistent security challenges in Plateau State, the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee on Security Challenges in Plateau State and Beyond convened a high-level one-day dialogue on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. The conference, held at Crispan Suites and Event Centre in Jos, attracted a wide spectrum of stakeholders committed to restoring peace and stability across the region. The gathering underscored the urgency of addressing insecurity through inclusive and coordinated efforts.

Themed “Restoring Stability and Unity: A Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue on Security in Plateau State and Beyond,” the event created a rare opportunity for frank conversations among key actors. Traditional rulers, religious leaders, security agencies, peacebuilding experts, and civil society organizations all took part, bringing diverse perspectives to the table. The conference emphasized the importance of collective responsibility in tackling insecurity and building a more united Plateau.

Deliberations centered on uncovering the underlying causes of recurring conflicts, including communal tensions, mistrust, and gaps in security coordination. Participants stressed the need for stronger collaboration between communities and security agencies, alongside the adoption of proactive measures such as early warning systems and grassroots conflict resolution frameworks. Many speakers highlighted that sustainable peace can only be achieved through fairness, inclusivity, and continuous dialogue among all stakeholders.

As the conference drew to a close, there was a strong consensus on the need to move beyond discussions to concrete actions. Stakeholders called for sustained engagement, policy implementation, and accountability to ensure that resolutions reached are not left on paper. With renewed hope and shared commitment, participants expressed confidence that such unified efforts could usher in lasting peace in Plateau State and serve as a blueprint for resolving security challenges across Nigeria.

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BREAKING: Insecurity Will End After 2027 Elections — Akpabio

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Senate President Godswill Akpabio has linked the recent surge in insecurity across Nigeria to the build-up to the next elections, expressing confidence that the situation will improve shortly after the polls.

Akpabio made the remarks on Tuesday during the inauguration of the Nigerian Revenue Service (NRS) Corporate Headquarters in Abuja, where President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was in attendance.

He argued that the rising insecurity is being fuelled by political actors who are unsettled by the performance of the current administration.

“Insecurity is increasing because elections are approaching. Some people don’t know what else to do, so they resort to sponsoring it. But shortly after the elections, within two weeks, you will see it decline,” he said.

The Senate President also took a swipe at the opposition, describing it as disorganised, and made a veiled reference to Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s candidate in the 2023 presidential election. He criticised what he described as the abandonment of electoral support in pursuit of another political platform.

Akpabio urged Nigerians to remain patient with the Tinubu administration, insisting that the government is on the right track.

He also commended the head of the revenue agency, Zacch Adedeji, describing him as a tax administrator widely accepted by Nigerians, despite the traditionally unpopular nature of tax collection.

The event was attended by top government officials, including Vice President-level figures, lawmakers, members of the Federal Executive Council, and several state governors such as Babagana Zulum, Charles Soludo, Caleb Mutfwang, Hope Uzodimma, and Usman Ododo.

The newly commissioned NRS headquarters, described as a state-of-the-art facility, comprises three towers with 16 floors and can accommodate about 3,000 staff.

The development follows the signing of the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act by President Tinubu in June 2025, which formally transformed the Federal Inland Revenue Service into the Nigerian Revenue Service.

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