Plateau gender commission rescues 39 trafficked children, secures conviction

The Plateau State Gender and Equal Opportunities Commission on Monday said it has, in collaboration with the Ministry of Women Affairs, brought back 39 children who were trafficked across the country.

The commission also stated that it was able to bring back some girls trafficked to Ghana, and the masterminds are standing trial.

It further noted that the agency has secured its first conviction, where the perpetrator has been sentenced to prison.

This was disclosed by Barrister Olivia Dazyam, Acting Executive Chairperson of the commission, while briefing journalists in Jos, the state capital, in commemoration of the International Day for Universal Access to Information, which is celebrated every 28th day of September yearly.

She said, “The International Day for Access to Information is a day set aside by the United Nations to assess progress made in promoting access to information since the adoption of the United Nations Sustainable Development Agenda.

“Access to information plays an important role in development, democracy, and equality; hence the need to promote and protect access to information as a fundamental human right.

“The Plateau State Gender and Equal Opportunities commission is leveraging this to provide members of the press with information on the activities of the commission, to bring to the knowledge of citizens the issues the commission has been dealing with and tackling.

“It is important at this point to state that it is only when citizens are adequately informed that they can make informed choices, giving impetus to the saying that information is power.

“Just as everyone has the right to seek, receive, and impart information, everyone also needs to know the consequences of wrong choices as a result of false or half-baked information.

The theme for this year’s celebration is, “Mainstreaming Access to Information and Participation in the Public Sector.”

“This is apt considering the information we will be providing you today.

According to her, “Since the establishment of thec commission by Barr. Caleb Mannaseh Mutfwang in November 2023, the commission has been inundated with cases of sexual and gender-based violence, abandonment of spouse, children, and other dependants without sustenance, and trafficking.

“Almost on a daily basis, we receive cases of fathers refusing to cater for their children, mothers abandoning their marriages, parents giving out their children in the guise of seeking a better life, and women selling their babies in the name of not having the capacity to cater for them.

“As a result of these myriad of issues, the commission engaged with different stakeholders from the community and religious levels to create awareness of the dangers posed by these issues.

“The commission has leveraged programs organized by women’s groups and other organizations to create awareness of the existing legal framework in the state and the danger posed by the negligent attitude of parents in the state.

“The commission, in conjunction with the Ministry of Women Affairs, has been able to bring back about thirty-nine Plateau children who were trafficked to other states of Nigeria,” she explained.

“Similarly, some of our girls trafficked to Ghana have been brought back while the masterminds are already standing trial in the state.

“The commission is proud to state that we were able to secure our first conviction, where the perpetrator was sentenced to thirty days in prison,” she maintained.

“It may look like a light sentence, but it goes to show that we have the legal muscle to tackle cases of sexual and gender-based violence to serve as a deterrent.

“As we speak now, many cases of sexual and gender-based violence are currently being prosecuted in our courts. For the avoidance of doubt, the laws provide for punishment for these various offenses.

“Some of these laws are the Gender and Equal Opportunities Law, the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law, the Child Rights Law, and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“We want to use this opportunity to thank the governor of Plateau State, Barrister Caleb Mutfwang, for his unwavering support to provide a Plateau where the social protection network is second to none and will not tolerate the maltreatment of all persons, particularly children, either in the name of culture or religion.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the commission is ready to take on anyone who flouts the law and will use every available instrument to ensure the protection of the fundamental human rights of our citizens.

“We also must appreciate the collaboration and partnership we enjoy from the different organizations, including the Nigeria Police, NSCDC, Office of the Attorney General, Vigilante, and the National Union of Road Transport Workers.

“We still use this opportunity to appeal for sustained collaboration from the generality of the people of Plateau State to see something, say something, and do something,” Dazyam stressed.

“Neighbourhood watch is highly commended for their efforts, but we want the community to be up and doing and should know that they have a right to question any illegality they see around.

“Let me use this time to commend an elderly landlady who noticed some questionable activities in her compound and drew the attention of community leaders, which led to the discovery of a pregnant girl who had been persuaded to sell her baby upon delivery.

“We must know that an injury to one is an injury to all.”

D

The Plateau State Gender and Equal Opportunities Commission on Monday said it has, in collaboration with the Ministry of Women Affairs, brought back 39 children who were trafficked across the country.

The commission also stated that it was able to bring back some girls trafficked to Ghana, and the masterminds are standing trial.

It further noted that the agency has secured its first conviction, where the perpetrator has been sentenced to prison.

This was disclosed by Barrister Olivia Dazyam, Acting Executive Chairperson of the commission, while briefing journalists in Jos, the state capital, in commemoration of the International Day for Universal Access to Information, which is celebrated every 28th day of September yearly.

She said, “The International Day for Access to Information is a day set aside by the United Nations to assess progress made in promoting access to information since the adoption of the United Nations Sustainable Development Agenda.

“Access to information plays an important role in development, democracy, and equality; hence the need to promote and protect access to information as a fundamental human right.

“The Plateau State Gender and Equal Opportunities commission is leveraging this to provide members of the press with information on the activities of the commission, to bring to the knowledge of citizens the issues the commission has been dealing with and tackling.

“It is important at this point to state that it is only when citizens are adequately informed that they can make informed choices, giving impetus to the saying that information is power.

“Just as everyone has the right to seek, receive, and impart information, everyone also needs to know the consequences of wrong choices as a result of false or half-baked information.

The theme for this year’s celebration is, “Mainstreaming Access to Information and Participation in the Public Sector.”

“This is apt considering the information we will be providing you today.

According to her, “Since the establishment of thec commission by Barr. Caleb Mannaseh Mutfwang in November 2023, the commission has been inundated with cases of sexual and gender-based violence, abandonment of spouse, children, and other dependants without sustenance, and trafficking.

“Almost on a daily basis, we receive cases of fathers refusing to cater for their children, mothers abandoning their marriages, parents giving out their children in the guise of seeking a better life, and women selling their babies in the name of not having the capacity to cater for them.

“As a result of these myriad of issues, the commission engaged with different stakeholders from the community and religious levels to create awareness of the dangers posed by these issues.

“The commission has leveraged programs organized by women’s groups and other organizations to create awareness of the existing legal framework in the state and the danger posed by the negligent attitude of parents in the state.

“The commission, in conjunction with the Ministry of Women Affairs, has been able to bring back about thirty-nine Plateau children who were trafficked to other states of Nigeria,” she explained.

“Similarly, some of our girls trafficked to Ghana have been brought back while the masterminds are already standing trial in the state.

“The commission is proud to state that we were able to secure our first conviction, where the perpetrator was sentenced to thirty days in prison,” she maintained.

“It may look like a light sentence, but it goes to show that we have the legal muscle to tackle cases of sexual and gender-based violence to serve as a deterrent.

“As we speak now, many cases of sexual and gender-based violence are currently being prosecuted in our courts. For the avoidance of doubt, the laws provide for punishment for these various offenses.

“Some of these laws are the Gender and Equal Opportunities Law, the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law, the Child Rights Law, and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“We want to use this opportunity to thank the governor of Plateau State, Barrister Caleb Mutfwang, for his unwavering support to provide a Plateau where the social protection network is second to none and will not tolerate the maltreatment of all persons, particularly children, either in the name of culture or religion.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the commission is ready to take on anyone who flouts the law and will use every available instrument to ensure the protection of the fundamental human rights of our citizens.

“We also must appreciate the collaboration and partnership we enjoy from the different organizations, including the Nigeria Police, NSCDC, Office of the Attorney General, Vigilante, and the National Union of Road Transport Workers.

“We still use this opportunity to appeal for sustained collaboration from the generality of the people of Plateau State to see something, say something, and do something,” Dazyam stressed.

“Neighbourhood watch is highly commended for their efforts, but we want the community to be up and doing and should know that they have a right to question any illegality they see around.

“Let me use this time to commend an elderly landlady who noticed some questionable activities in her compound and drew the attention of community leaders, which led to the discovery of a pregnant girl who had been persuaded to sell her baby upon delivery.

“We must know that an injury to one is an injury to all.”

The Plateau State Gender and Equal Opportunities Commission on Monday said it has, in collaboration with the Ministry of Women Affairs, brought back 39 children who were trafficked across the country.

The commission also stated that it was able to bring back some girls trafficked to Ghana, and the masterminds are standing trial.

It further noted that the agency has secured its first conviction, where the perpetrator has been sentenced to prison.

This was disclosed by Barrister Olivia Dazyam, Acting Executive Chairperson of the commission, while briefing journalists in Jos, the state capital, in commemoration of the International Day for Universal Access to Information, which is celebrated every 28th day of September yearly.

She said, “The International Day for Access to Information is a day set aside by the United Nations to assess progress made in promoting access to information since the adoption of the United Nations Sustainable Development Agenda.

“Access to information plays an important role in development, democracy, and equality; hence the need to promote and protect access to information as a fundamental human right.

“The Plateau State Gender and Equal Opportunities commission is leveraging this to provide members of the press with information on the activities of the commission, to bring to the knowledge of citizens the issues the commission has been dealing with and tackling.

“It is important at this point to state that it is only when citizens are adequately informed that they can make informed choices, giving impetus to the saying that information is power.

“Just as everyone has the right to seek, receive, and impart information, everyone also needs to know the consequences of wrong choices as a result of false or half-baked information.

The theme for this year’s celebration is, “Mainstreaming Access to Information and Participation in the Public Sector.”

“This is apt considering the information we will be providing you today.

According to her, “Since the establishment of thec commission by Barr. Caleb Mannaseh Mutfwang in November 2023, the commission has been inundated with cases of sexual and gender-based violence, abandonment of spouse, children, and other dependants without sustenance, and trafficking.

“Almost on a daily basis, we receive cases of fathers refusing to cater for their children, mothers abandoning their marriages, parents giving out their children in the guise of seeking a better life, and women selling their babies in the name of not having the capacity to cater for them.

“As a result of these myriad of issues, the commission engaged with different stakeholders from the community and religious levels to create awareness of the dangers posed by these issues.

“The commission has leveraged programs organized by women’s groups and other organizations to create awareness of the existing legal framework in the state and the danger posed by the negligent attitude of parents in the state.

“The commission, in conjunction with the Ministry of Women Affairs, has been able to bring back about thirty-nine Plateau children who were trafficked to other states of Nigeria,” she explained.

“Similarly, some of our girls trafficked to Ghana have been brought back while the masterminds are already standing trial in the state.

“The commission is proud to state that we were able to secure our first conviction, where the perpetrator was sentenced to thirty days in prison,” she maintained.

“It may look like a light sentence, but it goes to show that we have the legal muscle to tackle cases of sexual and gender-based violence to serve as a deterrent.

“As we speak now, many cases of sexual and gender-based violence are currently being prosecuted in our courts. For the avoidance of doubt, the laws provide for punishment for these various offenses.

“Some of these laws are the Gender and Equal Opportunities Law, the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law, the Child Rights Law, and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“We want to use this opportunity to thank the governor of Plateau State, Barrister Caleb Mutfwang, for his unwavering support to provide a Plateau where the social protection network is second to none and will not tolerate the maltreatment of all persons, particularly children, either in the name of culture or religion.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the commission is ready to take on anyone who flouts the law and will use every available instrument to ensure the protection of the fundamental human rights of our citizens.

“We also must appreciate the collaboration and partnership we enjoy from the different organizations, including the Nigeria Police, NSCDC, Office of the Attorney General, Vigilante, and the National Union of Road Transport Workers.

“We still use this opportunity to appeal for sustained collaboration from the generality of the people of Plateau State to see something, say something, and do something,” Dazyam stressed.

“Neighbourhood watch is highly commended for their efforts, but we want the community to be up and doing and should know that they have a right to question any illegality they see around.

“Let me use this time to commend an elderly landlady who noticed some questionable activities in her compound and drew the attention of community leaders, which led to the discovery of a pregnant girl who had been persuaded to sell her baby upon delivery.

“We must know that an injury to one is an injury to all.”