NAPTIP quizzes Lebanese over alleged defilement of minors, child pornographic

Juliana Francis

A crack team of investigators from the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) have started quizzing a Lebanese on his alleged involvement in the defilement of some minors in Jos, the Plateau State and also using them for pornographic activities.

The NAPTIP Head, Press and Public Relations, Stella Nezan, while confirming the incident, explained that the Director-General of the NAPTIP, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim dispatched the crack team to Jos, to join the NAPTIP office in Jos and other sister law enforcement agencies to carry out a thorough investigation on the Lebanese National, identified as Mr. Suleiman.

Nezan said: “The Lebanese is alleged to be involved in the defilement of minors and using them for pornographic activities. The Crack team drawn from the NAPTIP Headquarters, Abuja and the Makurdi Zonal Command is led by the Director of Investigation, Mr. Daniel Atokolo.”

Nezan said that it would be recalled that the city of Jos witnessed series of unrest in the last one week following allegations within the Abattoir community in the Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State that the Lebanese for over two years had been defiling young underage girls and using them for pornographic activities.

Nezan said: “Pandemonium broke on May 12, 2021, when one of the victims whose parents had earlier declared missing was seen by the neighbourhood vigilante coming out from the suspect’s house. This led to the arrest of the Lebanese by the Police.  On interviewing the victim, she mentioned what transpired at the suspect’s house with 10 other victims who had also been allegedly defiled by Suleiman. Investigation is still ongoing to establish the usage of these minors in the production of pornographic materials.

“However, one of the victims, 13 years old, alleged that the suspect, apart from sexually abusing them, put his fingers into their private parts while playing pornographic materials to them. He was also alleged to be using the girls for pornographic displays to excite him. One of the victims, 12 years old, is also alleged to be pregnant for the suspect.”

Nezan explained that these allegations were in contravention of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act (TIPPEA) 2015 which is administered by NAPTIP.

While dispatching the investigation team to Jos, the DG directed the team to be thorough in their activities. She also urged them to seek collaboration from sister law enforcement agencies where necessary, warning that compromise wouldn’t be tolerated.

The DG, however, advised parents to be wary of those they leave their children with and where they go as pedophiles and other child abusers were on the prowl, looking for children to violate.