Afolabi assumes duty as Abia Police Commissioner, pledges to strengthen security

The Cross River State Police Command has rescued four teenage girls allegedly targeted for human trafficking, including two who were trafficked to Ivory Coast and subjected to commercial sex exploitation.

Two of the victims, identified as Victoria, 16, and Comfort, 17, were reportedly trafficked from Ogoja to Ivory Coast after being deceived with promises of better opportunities abroad.

The girls were allegedly subjected to exploitation, physical abuse and other hardships after arriving in the West African country.

According to the police, officers attached to the Ogoja Divisional Headquarters intervened in the case and facilitated the return of the two girls to Nigeria.

In a related operation, the police also intercepted two other teenage girls who were allegedly being transported from Ogoja through Lagos to Ivory Coast, thereby preventing their suspected traffickers from taking them out of the country.

The rescues have renewed concerns over the activities of human traffickers who target young people with promises of lucrative employment, better living conditions and improved opportunities abroad.

Receiving the rescued girls, the wife of the Ogoja Local Council chairman, Mrs Christy Asari Agbeh, condemned child trafficking, describing it as a crime that exposes children to exploitation and jeopardises their future.

Agbeh commended the police for their intervention and directed that the two repatriated girls be taken to the General Hospital, Ogoja, for medical examination as part of efforts to facilitate their rehabilitation and eventual reintegration into society.

She urged parents, guardians, traditional and religious leaders, as well as other community members, to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements involving children to security agencies.

Agbeh also cautioned young people against accepting unverified offers of lucrative employment or better opportunities abroad, urging them to properly investigate such offers before travelling.

She assured that the Ogoja Local Council would continue to collaborate with security agencies and other relevant stakeholders to protect children from trafficking and support efforts to bring perpetrators to justice.

Meanwhile, Wilfred Afolabi has assumed duty as the new Commissioner of Police in Abia State, taking over from Danladi Isa, who was recently promoted to the rank of Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) and redeployed to the Force Headquarters, Kaduna Annex.

Speaking after formally assuming office, Afolabi pledged to run the command with dignity and in line with the agenda of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Tunji Disu.

He said he would build on the achievements of his predecessor while working to further strengthen security and improve the relative peace in the state.

Afolabi, who previously served as Commissioner of Police in Ondo State, said he would deploy his intelligence background to enhance security operations in Abia.

He also promised to sustain dialogue with communities and stakeholders, ensure free flow of information, build the capacity of officers and men, and improve their welfare.

The new commissioner said security would remain a priority of his administration and urged residents to cooperate with the police by providing useful information that could assist in preventing crime and maintaining peace.

Isa, while handing over to Afolabi, wished him a successful tenure and urged him to consolidate the existing peace in the state.

He charged his successor to deploy his experience and expertise to further improve security and strengthen the relationship between the police and the people of Abia.