08 January 2025 , 13:57
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Authorities arrest popular Nigerian pastor, rescue children from his cartel.
Authorities in Nigeria have arrested a prominent pastor and dismantled a major child-trafficking syndicate he led in Plateau State, rescuing 13 children in the process.
Pastor Dayo Bernard, a well-known cleric from the End Time Army Ministry in Bukuru, was identified as the alleged leader of the trafficking ring, local officials said. The operation, described as a significant breakthrough, also led to the arrest of other key members of the network.
Police Commissioner Aliyu Abdulrahman praised the crackdown as a victory for the protection of vulnerable children. “Efforts are intensifying to ensure that those responsible face the full force of the law,” he said.
During police questioning, Bernard reportedly confessed to trafficking at least 13 children, admitting to buying and selling them at varying prices. Authorities said the syndicate targeted families in vulnerable situations, abducting children for illegal adoption or forced labor.
Human trafficking remains a critical issue in Nigeria, with Plateau State frequently identified as a hotspot due to poverty and insecurity. UNICEF estimates tens of thousands of Nigerian children are trafficked annually, with many sent across borders to neighboring countries or beyond.
The rescued children have been placed under the care of child welfare services while efforts are being made to reunite them with their families, officials said.
The investigation is ongoing, with authorities vowing to prosecute those involved and crack down further on trafficking networks operating in the region.