Hajia Binta Adamu-Bello, Director-General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), has raised the alarm over the rising incidence of child sexual exploitation facilitated by parents and guardians.
Adamu-Bello raised the alarm in a statement signed by the Head of the Press and Public Relations Unit, Mr Vincent Adekoye, and made available to reporters in Abuja on Friday.
She said some parents and guardians were facilitating the sexual exploitation of their children to make money.
She warned that the agency would henceforth tighten its prosecution processes for child abuse offenders to ensure their conviction.
Adamu-Bello disclosed that the agency had received numerous reports of parents and guardians handing over their children and wards for sexual exploitation in exchange for money.
She said some parents and guardians had turned innocent children into sex objects without considering the negative consequences for their physical and psychological well-being, as well as their future prospects.
“It would be recalled that, in response to the disturbing incidents of sexual assault and abuse of children, NAPTIP issued a directive to all its commands across the country a few months ago on the need to increase surveillance on this issue.
“NAPTIP issued the directive to state commands to establish rapid-response mechanisms and ensure the effective prosecution of all cases involving child abuse and sexual assault,” Adamu-Bello said.
She also reacted to the arrest of a middle-aged woman, whose name was withheld, by the agency’s operatives in Abuja over allegations that she had handed over her teenage daughter for sexual exploitation in exchange for money.
The NAPTIP boss described the alleged act as an extreme form of cruelty against a child, adding that it would attract the maximum penalty under the law.
“I am personally disturbed, both as a mother and as the Director-General of NAPTIP, by reports of some parents aiding and abetting the sexual abuse of their children for monetary benefits.
“From the reports being recorded at both the headquarters and our commands across the country, it appears that this disturbing development is on the increase.
“I cannot imagine that a mother would agree to give out her daughter to men for sexual pleasure in return for money or other benefits,” she said.
Adamu-Bello described such acts as among the highest forms of wickedness, stressing that they contravened legal frameworks, laws and conventions at both national and international levels.
“It is painful to know that the very person entrusted with the responsibility of protecting and defending a child, either as a parent or guardian, and whom the child trusts so much, is the same person who abuses the child or facilitates the child’s sexual assault.
“In response to this trend, NAPTIP has strengthened its monitoring mechanisms and enforcement efforts. Parents or guardians who engage in these obnoxious practices will have the agency to contend with in court,” she warned.
She said the agency had also strengthened its collaboration with partners and other law enforcement agencies across the country to ensure prompt investigations and prosecution of offenders in such cases.
According to her, no excuse would be acceptable for such acts. She added that, in line with its mandate, the agency would not spare anyone found culpable in cases of child abuse and sexual assault across the country.
She, however, urged parents to exercise caution when choosing service providers and vendors who visit their homes while they are at work.
She also advised parents to conduct due diligence and properly vet their vendors to avoid exposing their children to suspected paedophiles who might abuse them.
The NAPTIP boss urged parents and guardians to be cautious when choosing gatekeepers, drivers, gardeners and other individuals responsible for taking their children to and from school.
She said the warning followed reports of the alleged involvement of some service providers and other workers in the sexual exploitation of children.
