By Francis TerLumum
More than 300 children from Guma Local Government Area of Benue State were allegedly trafficked, with some reportedly sold for as little as ₦2 million, as legal proceedings against suspected traffickers continue at the Federal High Court in Makurdi.
Former Benue State Attorney-General and Chairman of the State Human Trafficking Task Force, Fidelis Mnyim, disclosed that five cases are currently before the court, with some arrests already made.
Mnyim, who is prosecuting the cases, described the circumstances surrounding the children’s disappearance as distressing.
How Were the Benue Children Allegedly Trafficked?
According to Mnyim, the suspected traffickers exploited the difficult circumstances of families displaced from their ancestral communities.
Many of the affected parents were living in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps, where economic hardship and uncertainty made them vulnerable to exploitation.
He alleged that the suspects approached families with promises of enrolling their children in a government-backed return-to-school programme.
Parents were reportedly persuaded to release their children after being offered food and assurances that the children would receive educational support.
However, Mnyim said the suspects allegedly cut off communication with the families after taking the children away, leaving parents unable to reach them or establish their whereabouts.
What Happened to the Missing Children?
The allegations follow earlier investigations into child trafficking networks operating in conflict-affected communities in Benue State.
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) previously disclosed that more than 300 children had allegedly been taken from vulnerable communities in Guma under the guise of educational assistance.
In September 2026, NAPTIP reported that 105 children linked to the operation had been rescued, with 101 reunited with their families and four remaining in the agency’s custody.
The latest status of all the affected children has not been established in the correspondent’s court report.
When Will the Child Trafficking Cases Resume?
The Federal High Court in Makurdi has adjourned the cases until the following week for further hearing and for the defendants to take their pleas.
The proceedings are expected to address allegations surrounding the removal and suspected sale of children from displaced families.
The defendants remain presumed innocent unless proven guilty by the court.
The case also raises concerns about the safety of displaced children and the need to verify organisations offering educational and humanitarian assistance to vulnerable families.
Discover more from LN247
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
