The Benue State House of Assembly has urged the Commissioner of Police and the director of the State Security Service (SSS) to conduct an investigation into the rising cases of missing children.

The call was sequel to a motion moved by Douglas Akya (APC/Makurdi South) during plenary on Thursday in Makurdi, the state capital.

Mr Akya said seven children were abducted in Makurdi on September 1.

He listed the children as Kananfe Jika, four years old; Shimen Tyonenge, five years old; and Kakuman Tyonenge, seven years old, all of whom are from the Nigerian Correctional Service, Apir.

The lawmaker said the criminal acts had devastating effects on the physical, psychological, and emotional well-being of children and undermined the security of the state.

Mr Akya noted that Nigeria is a signatory to several international and regional conventions against child trafficking, including the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.

The legislator stated that the Child Rights Act 2003 criminalised the trafficking and abduction of children, and despite this, the situation continues unabated.

The motion was seconded by Terna Shimawua (APC/Kyan), who stated that the motion was timely and further encouraged parents to be vigilant.

Ruling, speaker Alfred Emberga called on the State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, the Ministry of Justice and Public Order, as well as other relevant agencies to prevent child trafficking and support victims and their families.

Mr Emberga further called on the Nigerian Immigration Service, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) to strengthen their presence and operations, especially at border communities and transit points.

He mandated the House Committee on Local Government, Security, and Chieftaincy Affairs to interact with the heads of security agencies operating within the state.

The speaker urged the state government, in collaboration with faith-based organisations, traditional rulers, and civil society organisations, to embark on a massive public sensitisation campaign on child protection and the dangers of trafficking.

He charged the clerk, Bem Mela, to address the resolutions of the motion to the relevant agencies for immediate action.

(NAN)