By Sharon Akuboh, Nigeria
The increasing cases of child trafficking and kidnapping across Nigeria have become a source of grave concern for parents, child rights advocates, and security stakeholders. As reports of abductions and trafficking incidents continue to emerge from states such as Oyo, Kebbi, Borno, and other parts of the country, the safety and future of Nigerian children are increasingly under threat.
Reacting to the disturbing trend, the leadership of Standup for Women Society (SWS) has raised the alarm over what it described as a growing national crisis requiring immediate and coordinated intervention. The organization, through its Director of Media and Communications, condemned the persistent attacks on children, stressing that every child subjected to trafficking, kidnapping, exploitation, or violence represents a failure of society’s collective responsibility to protect its most vulnerable citizens.
According to SWS, the recent surge in child-related crimes goes beyond isolated incidents and reflects the activities of organized criminal networks that prey on vulnerable families and communities. The organization expressed sympathy to families whose children have fallen victim to traffickers and kidnappers while commending survivors, community leaders, and stakeholders who continue to fight against the menace.
Speaking on behalf of the organization, the International President of SWS, Barr. (Mrs.) Deborah A. Ijadele-Adetona, noted that while security agencies and some state governments have recorded successes in rescuing victims and apprehending suspects, reactive measures alone are no longer enough to address the challenge.
She emphasized the need for a comprehensive national strategy aimed at dismantling trafficking syndicates, preventing child abductions, and ensuring that perpetrators face the full weight of the law.
To address the growing crisis, SWS called for the immediate establishment of a Presidential Task Force on Child Trafficking and Kidnapping to coordinate intelligence gathering, rescue operations, victim support services, and prosecution efforts nationwide.
The organization also advocated for the swift prosecution and public disclosure of convicted traffickers and kidnappers as a deterrent to others engaged in similar criminal activities.
Furthermore, the group urged federal and state authorities to establish functional shelters, rehabilitation centres, and trauma recovery facilities in identified hotspots, including Oyo, Kebbi, and Borno States, to provide rescued children with the support necessary for recovery and reintegration.
Recognizing the role of law enforcement agencies in combating the scourge, SWS called for increased funding and operational support for the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), immigration authorities, and community-based security structures.
The organization also proposed the creation of Child Protection Desks in schools, markets, healthcare facilities, motor parks, and border communities. According to SWS, these desks should be staffed by trained personnel capable of identifying, reporting, and responding effectively to child protection concerns before they escalate into tragedy.
Beyond government intervention, SWS stressed the importance of public awareness and community engagement. It advocated sustained sensitization campaigns in local languages to educate parents, guardians, and community members about the tactics employed by traffickers and kidnappers while encouraging vigilance and prompt reporting of suspicious activities.
The organization further called on the Federal Government, National Assembly, state governors, traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society groups, and all Nigerians to treat child trafficking and kidnapping as matters of national security and urgent public concern.
In a strong message directed at perpetrators, SWS declared that those who profit from the suffering of children engage in acts that are evil, inhuman, and unacceptable.
The group reaffirmed its commitment to mobilizing women, communities, and stakeholders across the country to demand accountability and stronger protection measures for children.
Linking its advocacy to the spirit of this year’s Children’s Day theme, “Future Now: Promoting Inclusion for Every Nigerian Child,” the organization noted that meaningful inclusion cannot be achieved while children continue to face trafficking, kidnapping, exploitation, and abuse.
As Nigeria grapples with growing security and social challenges, child rights advocates insist that protecting children must remain a national priority. For SWS, safeguarding the nation’s future begins with ensuring that every child can live, learn, and grow in an environment free from fear, violence, and exploitation.
The organization reiterated its readiness to collaborate with government institutions, development partners, civil society organizations, and communities in building a safer and more secure Nigeria where no child is left behind, forgotten, abused, or trafficked.