Residents of Makurdi, the Benue State capital, have apprehended a woman identified as Mercy on suspicion of child trafficking after she allegedly attempted to lure a teenage boy away from his home on Saturday morning.
The incident occurred near Tionsha Primary School along Naka Road when the suspect was caught trying to entice the young boy with money. According to eyewitnesses, the woman had given the child a ₦1,000 note to buy biscuits and instructed him to follow her to a location where she claimed people were playing football.
Timely Intervention by Parent
Mr. Paul Tion, Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Makurdi Local Government Area, who witnessed the incident, explained how the suspect's plan was foiled: "Luck ran out on her when the boy's father came to buy Gbefu and then asked the boy who sent him. At this point, they played into her script and just as she wanted to take an Okada with the boy, vigilantes moved in."
The situation quickly escalated as local residents, particularly women from the Tionsha area, confronted the suspect. Tion reported that he "received a serious beating in the process of trying to secure her and hand her over to the police from angry Tionsha women and other passersby."
Police Custody
The suspect has been handed over to the D Division Police Station in Makurdi Local Government. At the time of this report, DSP Udeme Edet, spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, could not be reached for official comment on the incident.
This incident highlights the ongoing concerns about child trafficking in Nigeria, where children are often lured with money or other incentives before being taken away for various exploitative purposes.
Child protection advocates continue to urge parents and guardians to remain vigilant and educate children about the dangers of following strangers, regardless of what they might offer.
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