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Rising Child Trafficking Cases Spark Alarm Across Plateau

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Growing concerns are mounting over the increasing cases of child trafficking linked to Plateau State, with stakeholders warning that the situation has evolved into a major humanitarian and security challenge.

In recent years, security agencies have intercepted and rescued more than a thousand vulnerable children allegedly trafficked from the state to various parts of Nigeria and neighbouring countries, including Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, Togo and Benin Republic. Many of the victims were reportedly destined for forced labour, domestic servitude and sexual exploitation.

Data gathered from rescue operations indicate that over 85 percent of trafficked children originate from the Langtang North and South axis, a trend that continues to puzzle authorities and community leaders. Some of the rescued victims were reportedly as young as two years old.

Officials and child rights advocates say organized trafficking networks often exploit poverty-stricken rural communities, disguising themselves as religious leaders, NGO workers, education agents or even relatives. They reportedly lure parents with promises of education, jobs and better living conditions for their children, only to subject them to exploitation elsewhere.

In one incident last year, security operatives intercepted a group of trafficked children in an Abuja suburb while they were being transported to Lagos. The local government chairman from the affected community described the development as alarming, lamenting that Plateau had become a major source point for child trafficking.

Authorities say some cases have also involved allegations of organ harvesting, further heightening fears among residents and advocacy groups.

A major breakthrough occurred when police arrested a clergyman in Jos South who allegedly ran a trafficking network spanning several local government areas. Investigations revealed that recruiters linked to the syndicate operated in communities affected by poverty and communal violence.

Reacting to the growing trend, the state Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Caroline Panglang Dafur, reportedly expressed deep concern after another group of underage children was rescued while being transported out of the state.

Civil society organizations have also intensified advocacy efforts. Apostle Jack Mamven Light, founder of the Itarok Development Foundation, said his group has rescued and repatriated over 100 victims and conducted sensitization campaigns in vulnerable communities.

He noted that many rescued children had been forced into farm labour across several states, including Kwara, Ogun, Oyo, Lagos and Rivers, where they worked long hours under harsh conditions.

Child rights activist Grace Jonah attributed the rise in trafficking to a mix of poverty, insecurity, displacement and parental neglect, noting that traffickers often operate as coordinated cartels.

She warned that prolonged communal conflicts and economic hardship in rural communities have made many families vulnerable to deception, increasing the likelihood that children will be trafficked under the guise of opportunity.

Stakeholders are now calling for stronger law enforcement collaboration, expanded public awareness campaigns and sustained community-level interventions to curb the growing menace.

Agencies such as the Nigeria Police Force, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons and other partners continue to coordinate rescue and prevention efforts, but advocates say more sustained action is urgently needed.

 

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Coaches Need To Apply Data Analytics Of Players For Accurate Development Information – Hakeem Busari

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Female cadet national team, Flamingos’ head coach, Hakeem Busari has highlighted the need for Nigerian football coaches to ‘apply data analytics of players’ in order to get accurate information while planning progressive development strategies for their wards, Sports247 reports.

Busari said this while delivering a lecture at Western Coast Summer Cup in Badagry, Lagos, where he also enlightened coaches present about the need to include innovative methods and modern strategies in grooming youth players.

The event, which took place at Larus Pitch, inside Western Coast Maritime Academy, with many grassroots football coaches in attendance, was organised by Alimosho Sports Club, led by the co-founder, Teslim Sanni.

In the highlight of his lecture, the CAF A-instructor emphasised the importance of having a proper developmental plan when managing players and coaching teams, which he said will make it eeasier to track the progress of each person in the squad.

He stated further that the innovative training pattern he highlighted during the lecture is not only aimed at developing young players in the best way possible, but also to reveal modern training skills to each member of a team’s technical crew.

Busari added, “Coaches should deploy 3v3, 5v5, formats, which will enhance more touches of the ball from the players and make them to be more involved in training activities.

“Coaches need to apply data analytics of players development, which will locate their skills and weaknesses. It will help coaches to identify strengths and areas requiring improvement.

“Training shouldn’t be on only drilling players but should rather also include other technical areas of the game. It includes where players decide, observe and execute technical instructions. That’s why academies should develop the person as well as the footballer.

“Education, nutrition, social skills, discipline, leadership and personal responsibility should form part of the programme. Coaches should also invest in young careers because modern player development depends heavily on education from the coach.”

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2027: APC reopens electronic membership registration exercise nationwide

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The All Progressives Congress, APC, has announced the reopening of its electronic membership registration exercise nationwide ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The party said the exercise will commence on Monday, August 31, 2026, across all wards nationwide.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the APC urged party stakeholders, supporters and members, both old and new, to participate in the exercise.

“Ahead of the 2027 General Elections, the All Progressives Congress, APC, announces the reopening of the Party’s Membership Electronic-Registration Exercise across the country on Monday, August 31, 2026.

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“We invite all party stakeholders, supporters and members, old and new, to participate in the APC Membership Electronic-Registration Exercise.

“The exercise will be conducted in all wards nationwide. Existing members are expected to validate their membership, while new and intending members are encouraged to register and join the progressive family.

“Registrants must be 18 years or older and possess a valid National Identification Number, NIN.

“The E-Registration Exercise is designed to digitise the party’s membership register, ensure the integrity of membership records, enhance efficient access to membership data for planning and management decisions, promote internal democracy, and strengthen the party’s commitment to democratic innovation in Nigeria,” the statement read in full.

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