In this piece, our Managing Editor Ekuson Nw’Ogbunka takes a look at the alarm raised by the Stand Up for Women Society (SWS) over Nigeria’s rising wave of child trafficking and kidnapping. Drawing from SWS excerpts, the article examines the scale of the crisis, the group’s recommendations, and why protecting children has become a test of our collective humanity. Read the excerpts.
A Nation on Edge
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.
The Alarm from SWS
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. Through its Director of Media and Communications, the organization 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.
Beyond Isolated Cases
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.
Reactive Measures Fall Short
Speaking on behalf of the organization, the International President of SWS, Barr. 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. She emphasized the need for a comprehensive national strategy aimed at dismantling trafficking syndicates, preventing abductions, and ensuring perpetrators face the full weight of the law.
Call for a Presidential Task Force
To address the growing crisis, SWS called for the immediate establishment of a Presidential Task Force on Child Trafficking and Kidnapping. The group said the task force should coordinate intelligence gathering, rescue operations, victim support services, and prosecution efforts nationwide. It also advocated swift prosecution and public disclosure of convicted traffickers and kidnappers as a deterrent.
Healing the Survivors
Furthermore, SWS urged federal and state authorities to establish functional shelters, rehabilitation centres, and trauma recovery facilities in identified hotspots, including Oyo, Kebbi, and Borno States. The goal, the group said, is to provide rescued children with the support necessary for recovery and reintegration into society.
Strengthening Security Institutions
Recognizing the role of law enforcement, 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. Strong institutions, it argued, are critical to breaking the cycle.
Eyes and Ears on the Ground
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.
The Power of Awareness
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 traffickers’ tactics while encouraging vigilance and prompt reporting of suspicious activities.
A Collective Responsibility
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. SWS declared that those who profit from the suffering of children engage in acts that are evil, inhuman, and unacceptable.
“Future Now” Under Threat
Linking its advocacy to 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. For SWS, safeguarding the nation’s future begins with ensuring every child can live, learn, and grow free from fear, violence, and exploitation.
The Road Ahead
As Nigeria grapples with growing security and social challenges, child rights advocates insist that protecting children must remain a national priority. 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.
