Kano — Kano State Zonal office of the National Agency for Prohibition of Child Trafficking (NAPTIP), has received 105 children intercepted on their way to Suleja from Kiru Local Government area of the state, for begging and trafficking.

State Zonal Director of NAPTIP, Bello Ahmed Mohammed, told THISDAY in an interview yesterday, that the zone received the children from Kaduna State Police Command, while six people connected with the trafficking are under custody, two of whom are from Kiru Local Government area of the state.

Muhammad said, "the traffickers arrested by the police at Gadar Mallam Mamman in Kaduna State, were intercepted as they carried the children into a lorry meant for goods only, with the children loaded like donkeys."

According to him, parents of the children at Kiru paid between N300 and N400 before given their children to the traffickers who will take them to Suleja for street begging.

NAPTIP had summoned a meeting with traditional leaders, local government chairmen and religious leaders at the Emir of Kano Palace today, to discuss the issue of child abuse and trafficking.

Meanwhile, United States Government has promised to support Nigeria's fight against human trafficking and all forms of modern slavery, forced labour and sexual exploitation, especially in strategic areas where it is noticed that the country needs improvement.

At a press briefing jointly addressed by the US Ambassador at Large, Mark P. Logon, and Executive Secretary, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking In Persons (NAPTIP), Dr Carol Ndanugba in Abuja yesterday, Logon said he was in the country to learn about efforts being made by Nigerian government to curb the scourge and bring traffickers to justice.

He said Nigeria is being rated 'second tier' by the US, because there is need for improvement on methods and strategies adopted and called for a stronger partnership to help fight this mode of organised crime.