For families in Badagry, the fear of losing a child is taking on a disturbing new dimension, as Lagos State moves to tighten security around the border town following reports of child theft and trafficking.
The state government says criminals are taking advantage of Badagry’s proximity to an international border to steal children and move them beyond easy reach of security agencies.
Secretary to the Lagos State Government, Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, described the situation as particularly painful, stressing that children being stolen and sold represents a direct threat to the future of the society.
“I want to tell you one of the touching ones about child theft. I call it child theft. You know, people that steal other people’s children and go and sell them,” she said.
Salu-Hundeyin spoke on Wednesday during the state’s bi-monthly meeting with heads of security agencies and parliamentary affairs in Ikeja.
She disclosed that the government has stepped up security coordination, with meetings that were previously held quarterly now taking place every two months to enable authorities respond faster to emerging security threats.
According to her, reports presented at the meeting showed that cases of child theft and trafficking are particularly concentrated around Badagry because of its border location.
“It’s simply because Badagry is a border town. So, they can easily escape,” she explained.
The government is now planning to install additional security lights in the area, while strengthening collaboration among security agencies and relevant ministries.
Salu-Hundeyin also disclosed that a woman allegedly involved in child theft and trafficking, alongside her husband and using a clinic to facilitate the operation, has been charged to court.
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, is expected to provide updated figures on convictions, pending cases and locations affected by the menace.
The state government is also working with the Ministries of Youth and Women Affairs, the Lagos State Neighbourhood Watch and other stakeholders to strengthen protection for children and vulnerable residents.
“When we’re talking about children, we’re talking about the future of the country, the future of the state. It’s very saddening that people will do that to innocent children. And so, we’re not taking it easy,” the SSG said.
She also linked some criminal activities to mental health challenges, noting that the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is constructing what she described as the biggest mental health hospital in Africa, which is expected to be commissioned soon.
Beyond government agencies, the state is seeking to push security down to the grassroots through regular engagement with local government secretaries, Community Development Committees and Community Development Associations.
At a separate meeting with the Lagos Police Community Relations Committee, Salu-Hundeyin commended the group for its role in community security and voter education.
She stressed that effective civic education could help reduce election-related violence by reminding citizens that elections are a democratic responsibility, not a battle for political supremacy.
The government also said concerns raised over the safety of some bridges, including those flagged by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, would be forwarded to the appropriate ministries and agencies for immediate attention.
