BENUE LAWMAKERS RAISE ALARM OVER ALLEGED TRAFFICKING OF 400 CHILDREN TO ABUJA ORPHANAGE. (PHOTO).

 BENUE LAWMAKERS RAISE ALARM OVER ALLEGED TRAFFICKING OF 400 CHILDREN TO ABUJA ORPHANAGE 

Anxiety swept through the Benue State House of Assembly on Monday as lawmakers raised the alarm over the alleged trafficking of more than 400 children from the state to an orphanage in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, warning that the fate of the minors remains unknown.

The alarm followed a motion moved during plenary by the member representing Guma State Constituency, Peter Uche (APC), who drew the attention of the House to reports that the children were taken to Divine Hope Orphanage for the Less Privileged located in Kagini, Bwari Area Council of the FCT.

Uche described the development as deeply troubling, noting that many of the affected children may have come from communities devastated by persistent attacks by armed herdsmen across Benue State. According to him, the violence has displaced thousands of families and left many children vulnerable to exploitation and trafficking.

He cited a February 2026 report by the Nigerian Television Authority, NTA, which alleged that the children were moved to the orphanage and that some had their names changed without the knowledge or consent of their parents or guardians.

Even more disturbing, the lawmaker told the House that authorities in Bwari reportedly revealed that the orphanage proprietor, identified as Ebele Chibuzor, and the children could no longer be located. He added that at least three of the children were said to have died under unclear circumstances.

Lawmakers expressed concern that attempts to involve the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, had yet to produce concrete results.

Ruling on the matter, Speaker Alfred Emberga directed the Clerk of the Assembly to formally write to the Benue State Ministry of Women Affairs to establish a committee that would sensitize the public particularly internally displaced persons on the dangers of entrusting children to unknown individuals.

The Assembly also urged NAPTIP to intensify efforts to track down the missing children and ensure their safe return to their families.