Taraba State rescued eight children trafficked to southeastern Nigeria under false pretences of being orphans. Authorities intercepted traffickers and reunited children with families

Eight children, falsely claimed to be orphans, have been rescued in Taraba State from traffickers attempting to move them to southeastern Nigeria, highlighting ongoing efforts against child exploitation.

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A collaborative effort between the Taraba State Ministry of Women Affairs and Child Development and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has led to the successful rescue of eight trafficked children. The children were recovered from Minda Village in the Lau Local Government Area of Taraba State.

Briefing journalists in Jalingo on Friday, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Child Development, Mrs Mary Sinjen, revealed that the children were lured and subsequently trafficked to various locations in southeastern Nigeria, including Aba, Onitsha, and parts of Imo State.

The traffickers had falsely claimed to prospective exploiters that the children were orphans.

“These innocent children were deceitfully taken away from their homes and trafficked to Aba, Onitsha, and parts of Imo State,” Mrs Sinjen stated. “The traffickers claimed they were orphans, but investigations revealed otherwise.”

According to the Commissioner, the illegal trafficking operation was intercepted in Gembu, which is located in the Sardauna Local Government Area, following crucial intelligence reports.

“Our team, in collaboration with NAPTIP, acted swiftly and successfully rescued the children before they could be further exploited. The traffickers were intercepted in Gembu while attempting to move more victims,” she added.

Mrs Sinjen further disclosed that after thorough and careful investigations, all eight children were safely reunited with their biological parents in March 2025.

“One of the most heartbreaking aspects of this case is that the victims confirmed they were sold without the knowledge or consent of their families,” the commissioner poignantly noted.

The principal suspect implicated in this heinous crime has been identified as Mrs Patience. Several accomplices were also apprehended, and all are currently in custody awaiting prosecution.

“We will not rest until every child involved in this criminal network is rescued, and all those responsible are brought to justice,” Mrs Sinjen vowed with determination.

Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba State has strongly condemned the act, reaffirming his administration’s unwavering zero tolerance policy towards human trafficking and child abuse.

“Every child in Taraba matters, and we will continue to do everything within our power to protect them from harm. This government is committed to safeguarding the most vulnerable among us,” the Governor asserted in an official statement.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Women Affairs and Child Development, along with security agencies, has issued an urgent appeal to residents to maintain vigilance and promptly report any suspicious movements or activities within their local communities.

“Safeguarding our children is a collective responsibility. We urge all residents to speak up when they see something unusual,” Mrs Sinjen earnestly appealed to the public.

British police have charged actor-comedian Russell Brand with sexual assault charges, including rape, relating to alleged incidents between 1999 and 2005

British police have announced that actor-comedian Russell Brand has been charged with one count of rape, one count of indecent assault, one count of oral rape, and two counts of sexual assault.

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The charges follow a number of allegations relating to incidents that reportedly occurred between 1999 and 2005.

The Metropolitan Police issued a statement on Friday confirming the charges against Brand, who is 50 years old.

Brand, formerly a high-profile comedian and broadcaster in the UK and the ex-husband of U.S. pop singer Katy Perry, has more recently gained prominence as an internet social commentator.

Police stated that Brand, who resides in Oxfordshire, southern England, faces these five charges in connection with four separate women.

“The Met’s investigation remains open and detectives ask anyone who has been affected by this case, or anyone who has any information, to come forward and speak with police,” the police statement emphasised.

In 2023, a joint investigation by the Sunday Times newspaper and Channel 4 TV’s documentary programme “Dispatches” reported accusations from four women who alleged sexual assaults, including rape, by Brand between 2006 and 2013.

Russell Brand has previously publicly stated that he has never engaged in non-consensual sexual activity.

Seventeen internet fraudsters were jailed in Benin City after pleading guilty to fraud charges and retaining proceeds of crime

Seventeen internet fraudsters have been convicted and sentenced in Benin City after they pleaded guilty to one-count charges relating to obtaining by false pretence, retention of proceeds of crime, and possession of fraudulent documents.

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) prosecuted the convicts, who were arraigned before Justices A.N. Erhabor and W.I. Aziegbemhin of the Edo State High Courts.

The convicts include Ekene Ezerioha, Ayeleso Ayodeji Richard, Prince Unity Igbinekaro, Marvelous Adebor, Osayande Oseh, Chukwuebuka James Edozie, Clinton Osayi Okojie, Chinedu Ugwu Kingsley, Emmanuel Ezeala, Isioma Christopher, Adebayo Ayomide, Ubaro Best, Junior Oboh, Chieye Goodluck, Lucky James Isioma, Jeremiah Okwuezuru Nwadiashi, and Destiny Grace. They were arrested in a sting operation following intelligence suggesting their involvement in internet fraud.

The charge against one of the convicts, Ekene Ezerioha, states that on or about March 14, 2025, within the jurisdiction of the court, he possessed documents that contained false pretences, which led to his conviction under the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006.

All 17 defendants pleaded guilty when their charges were read to them. In response, the prosecution counsel, including F.A. Jirbo, K.Y. Bello, Isa K. Agwai, Faisal Ibrahim, Al-Amin Ibrahim Abdul, Bala-Ribah, and Salihu Ahmed, urged the court to convict and sentence the defendants accordingly. Their defence counsel pleaded for leniency, stating that the convicts had shown remorse for their actions.

Justice Erhabor sentenced Igbinekaro, Adebor, Oseh, Edozie, Okojie, Christopher, Best, Nwadiashi, and Grace to two years imprisonment each or a fine of N200,000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira) each. Richard, Kingsley, Ezeala, Goodluck, and Isioma were sentenced to three years imprisonment or a fine of N200,000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira) each.

Justice Aziegbemhin sentenced Oboh, Ayomide, and Ezerioha to two years imprisonment each or a fine of N400,000 (Four Hundred Thousand Naira) each.

In addition to their sentences, all convicts forfeited their phones, computers, and the money in their bank accounts to the federal government. They also committed, in writing, to good behaviour moving forward.

This action is part of the ongoing efforts by the EFCC to tackle internet fraud and ensure that perpetrators of fraudulent activities face justice. The convicts’ sentences serve as a reminder of the consequences of engaging in cybercrime in Nigeria.