
By CHRISTIANA LOT, Jos –
A gender-based advocacy organization, Christian Women for Excellence and Empowerment in Nigerian Society (CWEENS), has announced the successful disruption of a child trafficking syndicate and the rescue of victims in Jos.
The National Coordinator of CWEENS, Prof. Oluwafunmilayo Para-Mallam, disclosed this in Jos on Monday, stating that an intelligence-led operation facilitated the arrest of a woman trafficking three children and the eventual rescue of several other victims.
According to Para-Mallam, “Acting on credible intelligence, that led to the swift apprehension of a woman named Nanman Pungtel at Old Airport Junction, Jos on the 2nd December, 2024, with three children she could not account for. Further investigation led to the arrest of the mastermind behind the trafficking operation identified as Pastor Dayo Bernard of End Time Army Ministry in Bukuru, later that same night.”
She further revealed, “The operation resulted in the rescue of five children, aged between 2 to 4 years, who had been abducted from various homes in Kwande, Qua’an Pan LGA. It also led to the arrest of additional syndicate members identified as Rita Agboeze, Victoria Ugwu, and Peter Ukwuani.”
Para-Mallam stated that during interrogation, the principal suspect, Pastor Dayo Bernard, confessed to abducting and selling 13 children from Plateau State at prices ranging from ₦350,000 to ₦750,000.
The rescued children, she explained, were recovered by the police and brought to the CWEENS Safe House between December 5 and 10 for rehabilitative care before reintegration.
“In December 2024 alone, CWEENS provided psycho-social therapy to facilitate recovery for the 13 rescued children and 4 other trafficked children brought in from the Republic of Mali and Ghana.
” All 17 children have since been successfully reunited with their families through the Plateau State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development,” she said.
Prof. Para-Mallam described the incident as a grim reminder of the deeply troubling prevalence of child trafficking in Plateau State, demanding immediate and decisive action.
“In the past quarter alone, CWEENS has provided shelter, psychological care, and legal assistance to 42 survivors of trafficking, 32 of whom were children (22 girls and 10 boys).
“This alarming trend highlights the critical need for heightened community awareness, parental vigilance, and reinforced State response mechanisms to protect vulnerable persons, particularly children, from exploitation. As the statistics show, the girl-child is especially vulnerable,” she emphasized.
CWEENS National coordinator expressed gratitude to its key partners and urged the state government to enhance localized awareness campaigns and foster collaboration among multiple agencies, noting that such initiatives are vital for a coordinated response to trafficking and effective rehabilitation efforts for survivors.