Mrs Sandra Chikan.
By Marie-Therese Nanlong
Jos – Plateau State Coordinator, Child Protection Network, Sandra Chikan has frowned at the increasing rate of trafficking of minors especially from the State for unwholesome activities within and outside the country.
Chikan reacted to the viral video showing some underaged girls from Plateau and another State engaging in illicit activities in Ghana and called for stiffer punishment of those involved in the trafficking of the children.
A statement she issued in Jos on Sunday urged society not to condone the illicit acts where children and young people are tricked, forced, or persuaded to leave their homes and then transported and forced to work or sold or trafficked for sexual exploitation.
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Her words, “Given the alarming increase in cases of child trafficking, young girls from Plateau State have on several occasions been lured by syndicates to other countries and States for prostitution and child labour. Child Protection Network condemns this dastardly act and calls on parents and guardians to be aware of these crimes.
“Parents and community members should not fail in their primary responsibility of protecting and training their children. The Network called on Community Leaders to watch and report any unlawful activity in their domain to law enforcement agencies. The government should explore options for ensuring policies are implemented and engage stakeholders in a concerted effort to combat this menace and criminality.
“The situation is disturbing, the Network calls for stiffer punishment of perpetrators to serve as a lesson to others. This ugly trend must stop, we must all rise against it…”
