NAPTIP RESCUES AKWA IBOM BOYS TRAFFICKED TO TARABA

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The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has rescued two young Akwa Ibom boys, Abasifreke Okon and Precious Ene, who were trafficked from Uyo to Taraba State for forced labor.

Confirming the rescue on Monday, the Uyo Zonal Commander of NAPTIP, Mr. Emmanuel Awhen, said the agency received a complaint about the missing boys, who were staying with their parents in Uyo before being taken away.

According to Awhen, Ene’s mother, Mrs. Grace Ene, was initially accused of luring Okon away and was reported to the Paramount Ruler of Uyo, who then handed her over to NAPTIP for investigation. However, further inquiry revealed that a man identified as Christian Gombe had lured the boys to Taraba under false pretenses.

“We received a call from the Paramount Ruler of Uyo about the case. Our officers brought the woman to our office for questioning. Through investigation, we traced the trafficker, Mr. Christian Gombe, who had taken the boys to Taraba without their parents’ consent,” Awhen stated.

Once contacted, Gombe—realizing NAPTIP was involved—voluntarily returned the boys to Uyo.

Awhen warned parents and guardians to be cautious of individuals promising better opportunities for their children, as such cases often lead to child labor or exploitation.

“We urge parents to be vigilant. Human traffickers lure children under false promises, but they end up in forced labor or even prostitution. The government is cracking down on such crimes, and traffickers will face the full weight of the law,” he warned.

He also encouraged victims, parents, and the general public to report suspected trafficking cases via the following hotlines: 08069539747, 08023574406, and 08035961835.

Narrating their experience, Precious Ene revealed that they met Christian Gombe at a BetNaija shop along Nwaniba, where he offered them jobs in Taraba.

“On February 12, Gombe returned with travel tickets, and we left for Taraba. By February 13, we arrived, and he gave us a place to stay. We started selling building materials for him,” Ene recounted.

However, they were not comfortable in Taraba, and Gombe never paid them. It was only after NAPTIP’s intervention that they were finally returned home to their parents on March 14, 2025.

The boys expressed gratitude to NAPTIP for rescuing them and reuniting them with their families.