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Anxiety gripped the Benue State House of Assembly on Monday as lawmakers raised serious concerns over reports that more than 400 children from the state had been trafficked to an orphanage in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), with their current whereabouts unknown.
The matter came to light during plenary when the member representing Guma State Constituency, Hon. Peter Uche (APC), moved a motion drawing attention to the disturbing development. He alleged that the children were taken to Divine Hope Orphanage for the Less Privileged, located in Kagini, Bwari Area Council of the FCT.
Hon. Uche described the situation as deeply troubling, noting that many of the affected minors may have originated from communities devastated by persistent armed herdsmen attacks across Benue State. He cited a February 2026 report by the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) which claimed the children were moved to the orphanage, with some reportedly having their names changed without the knowledge or consent of their parents or guardians.
The lawmaker further revealed that authorities in Bwari had informed that the orphanage proprietor, identified as Ebelele Chibuzor, could no longer account for the children’s location. He added that at least three of the minors were said to have died under unclear circumstances.
Lawmakers expressed grave worry over the lack of concrete results despite previous attempts to involve the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP). Speaker Alfred Embergera directed the Clerk of the Assembly to formally write to the Benue State Ministry of Women Affairs to establish a committee that would sensitize the public—particularly internally displaced persons—on the dangers of entrusting children to unknown individuals or organizations.
The House also urged NAPTIP to intensify efforts to track down the missing children, ensure their safe return to their families, and bring those responsible to justice.
The development has heightened fears about the vulnerability of children in conflict-affected areas of Benue, where displacement and insecurity have left thousands of families exposed to exploitation and trafficking. Lawmakers emphasized the urgent need for coordinated action between state and federal agencies to safeguard minors and prevent similar incidents in the future.
