by Christiana Gokyo, Jos
JOS: The Plateau State Anti-Human Trafficking Taskforce has executed a surgical, multi-location raid that marks a turning point in its battle against modern-day slavery.
Attorney-General-cum Commissioner for Justice for Plateau State, Barrister Philemon Audu Daffi, Esq., who chairs the Taskforce, has asserted that, the operation was “an overwhelming success – resulting in several strategic arrests of 184 suspects and the rescue of numerous vulnerable citizens, who had been trapped in the shadows of societal decay.”
While briefing Journalists over the weekend at the Ministry of Justice Conference Hall in Jos, the Attorney-General said “The victory was not a product of chance or mere luck, but it was the culmination of rigorous learning and the strategic application of data.
“We have spent the last several months meticulously auditing our previous operations, identifying where our strategies were brittle and where traffickers found gaps to exploit. We have turned those hard-learned lessons and past weaknesses into the bedrock of our current tactical framework,” he noted.
“By leveraging data-driven intelligence and resilient tactical planning, the Taskforce has evolved into a more formidable, sophisticated force. The last night’s success proves that we are no longer just reacting; we are out-thinking and out-manoeuvring the syndicates that mistakenly believed Plateau State was a safe harbor for their depravity,” Barrister Philemon Daffi stated.
The Justice Commissioner stressed that, “The Taskforce has decided to pursue actions that will ensure that the following issues are no longer a challenge to our collective desire to see our dear State deserving of its slogan of ‘Home of Peace and Tourism’:
“Stripping the Veil – Child Prostitution as Slavery: Let there be no ambiguity: Child prostitution is human trafficking. It is a grave violation of human rights that this administration will no longer view through a lens of ‘societal issues’ or ‘vagrancy.’ It is a heinous crime against humanity.
“When a minor is engaged in these acts, it’s no ‘consent;’ it’s exploitation, coercion, and a gross violation of the Child’s Rights Law. We are done with soft language,” he stated.
“To the adults, who patronize these children: you are not ‘customers’ but ‘predators.’ You are the demand that fuels this evil trade, and you are as guilty as the traffickers themselves, and it is inhuman,” the CJ warned.
Barrister Philemon Daffi revealed that, the Taskforce has issued a standing directive of “zero tolerance” to human trafficking and child exploitation, adding that “Their intent is clear – we will continue to track the perpetrators; make arrests and prosecute accordingly.
“We will apply the full wrath of the law. If anyone is caught patronizing a minor, the law will not offer you a fine or a slap on the wrist; we are applying the full scale of Justice.
“The ‘Seal, Seize, and Demolish’ Policy: To the owners of establishments and individuals harbouring minors for profit, your ‘business’ is a cancer on our economy,” he warned.
The Justice Commissioner further observed that, “For too long, certain establishments have turned blind eyes to morality by providing the infrastructures for these evil practices under the pretext of ‘businesses’ or ‘profitable ventures.’ We are here to change the narratives, permanently.
“We are sanitizing Plateau State to ensure that only legitimate and lawful establishments thrive. Under my statutory powers and the relevant criminal laws, the following consequences are now in immediate effect for any property found complicit:
“Seal and Seize: Any property or establishment that is being used habouring child prostitution or a soft spot for Human Trafficking will be shut down immediately, and all assets contained within will be forfeited to the State.
“Demolition: Where structures are found to be dedicated to these illicit activities, they will be demolished accordingly. We are building an economy that protects our future. There is no room in the Home of Peace and Tourism for those, who profit from the destruction of our children,” he stated.
“Also, the Betrayal of the Fabric, Family Roles and Negligence: The family is the sacred fabric of our society; it is the fortress that should protect our children,” he noted.
The Taskforce Chairman equally noted that, “It is heartbreaking to see traffickers shredding this fabrics of the society. However, we must address the painful truth of internal betrayal.”
While warning family members, who “sell” their kins into modern-day bondage under the guise of ‘financial emancipation’ or ‘seeking greener pastures,’ the CJ stated thus: “Hear me clearly – poverty is not an excuse for the commodificating human trafficking or child prostitution.
“The law will not tolerate this betrayal; the State showcases its full might and visit the full wrath of the law upon any relatives or family members, who are complicit in the trafficking of their own children or wards,” he warned.
“We are moving against parental negligence. Parents, who abandon their primary duty of care, leaving their wards at the mercy of the streets and the claws of traffickers, will be criminally liable.
“We will prosecute parents, who fail to protect their children to the full extent of the law. If you will not protect your children, the State will, and we will, hold you accountable for your failure,” he warned.
Mr. Daffi further stated that, “As a Taskforce, we are serious and dedicated towards achieving the desired goals. This government is up-and-doing. The Taskforce is constantly developing its capabilities through past experiences, specialized training, and advanced infrastructural plans for the rehabilitation of victims.
“To the traffickers, the recruiters, and the enablers of wrongdoings against our collective future, I say this without mincing words: we are coming for you. You may adapt to new ways to evade the application of the law. You may leverage on technology to hide your trails or shift your routes. You may deploy vast resources in pursuit of your evil but you must understand this – we are growing faster than you are,” he warned.
“We are developing the capabilities and capacities of our members to identify current trends. Know this; because we are doing God’s ordained work of protecting the vulnerable and upholding justice, perpetrators are bound to lose in the end.
“You are fighting against the divine mandate of justice and the collective will of a State. This raid was a clear message: We mean business. The hunters have become the hunted, and you have no place to hide in Plateau State,” the CJ stated.