Plateau Gender Official Raises Alarm Over Trafficking of 200 Children
In a shocking revelation, the Acting Chairperson of the Plateau State Gender and Equal Opportunity Commission, Mrs Olivia Dazyam, has disclosed that approximately 200 children from the Irigwe community in Bassa Local Council of Plateau State have been trafficked to various parts of Nigeria. This alarming disclosure was made during the 2026 Women’s Cultural Day event organized by the Women’s Wing of the Irigwe Development Association at the Local Government Primary School in Chinye, Miango District of Jos.
Growing Crisis in Irigwe Chiefdom
Mrs Dazyam described the Irigwe Chiefdom as one of the communities most severely affected by crises in Plateau State, highlighting that it now faces an escalating challenge of child trafficking. She emphasized that this situation reflects a disturbing trend of increasing exploitation of vulnerable children, urging the community to take a stand. “Why are we giving out our children for trafficking? Say no to child trafficking,” she declared passionately.
While commending the resilience of Irigwe women, Dazyam cautioned families against allowing economic hardship to drive them into the hands of traffickers. She stressed the importance of community support and empowerment to prevent such exploitation.
Community Response and Empowerment Initiatives
The President of the Irigwe Development Association Women’s Wing, Mrs Mary Fwa, explained that the cultural day was specifically organized to address this crisis and mobilize support for victims. During the event, donations were collected to fund empowerment initiatives aimed at assisting affected families, providing them with resources to rebuild their lives and protect their children from further harm.
Security Agencies Urged to Intensify Checks
In a related development, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Plateau State Council, Mrs Ayuku Pwaspo, called on the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and other security agencies to enhance checks on vehicles transporting children. She advocated for rigorous identity verification processes to curb the rising cases of child trafficking in the state, describing the situation as alarming and requiring immediate intervention.
Pwaspo made this appeal during a courtesy visit by the FRSC Sector Commander for Plateau State, Corps Commander Adelaja Sunday Ogungbemi, who met with union executives to strengthen collaboration. She welcomed the sector commander and his team, affirming the council’s commitment to sustaining partnerships with the corps.
FRSC’s Commitment and Public Awareness Efforts
Corps Commander Ogungbemi, in his remarks, urged journalists to increase coverage of FRSC activities to boost public awareness. He noted that the corps’ operations are often underreported and announced plans to organize a seminar to highlight its functions. Ogungbemi reiterated the FRSC’s dedication to prioritizing road user safety and continuing to seek public cooperation, particularly in efforts to reduce road crashes along critical routes like the Hawan Kibo axis of the Jos–Abuja road.
The combined efforts of community leaders, gender officials, and security agencies underscore a critical need for coordinated action to combat child trafficking in Plateau State. As traditional rulers, government officials, and community leaders express growing concerns, the call for vigilance and support resonates across the region, aiming to protect the most vulnerable from exploitation.
