Senate President Godswill Akpabio has promised to sponsor the education of a rescued Akwa Ibom child up to university level after the child reportedly invoked his name during an ordeal involving suspected human traffickers.
Akpabio made the pledge during Tuesday’s Senate plenary while reacting to reports that three children from Akwa Ibom State had been kidnapped and moved through several locations in Nigeria before being taken to Ghana.
According to reports, the children were allegedly moved through Aba, Katsina and Lagos as suspected traffickers attempted to sell them. The eldest child reportedly warned prospective buyers that Akpabio was looking for them.
Reacting to the development, the Senate President said social media criticism had damaged his reputation, adding that he was surprised his name could play a role in helping to recover the children.
“Social media has so rubbished my name that I did not know my name could even recover children. So, for once, my name is useful,” he said.
Akpabio then expressed his desire to meet the rescued child and pledged to provide a scholarship covering the child’s education through university.
“I want to see that child. I promise myself that when I see the child, I will give that child a scholarship to university level,” he added.
The Senate President also commended the Inspector-General of Police and the Akwa Ibom State Police Command for their roles in the rescue, urging other police commands to learn from their efforts.
He further highlighted recommendations for stronger enforcement of anti-human trafficking laws and improved rehabilitation support for rescued victims.
The recommendations include reviewing existing legislation, such as the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act 2015 and the Child Rights Act 2003, to strengthen protections against human trafficking and related offences.