The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has issued a public notice following renewed discussions over alleged child abuse in Nigerian daycare centres.
The surge in debate was triggered by the resurfacing of old tweets from singer Simi dating back to 2012.
Director General Binta L. Adamu Bello reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to investigating every credible report related to child exploitation.
She urged anyone with factual information or personal experience to report confidentially via direct message or email at [email protected], with contacts available at the Abuja headquarters and Lagos Zonal Command.
Simi clarifies context of tweets
Simi addressed the resurfaced posts on Twitter, emphasising the innocent nature of her 2012 experiences at her mother’s daycare.
She said, “14 years ago, I was 23, so I was definitely not a child. I’m not here to make excuses because I don’t have anything to make excuses for. What I can’t let anyone do is twist my story to fit false narratives.”
She added, “In 2012, I lived and helped out at my mom’s daycare while I was hustling my music. I tweeted everything that happened in my life… Nothing I tweeted was from perversion. I’ve never been depraved in my life.”
Call for responsible reporting
Both NAPTIP and Simi’s statements underscore the need for careful interpretation of social media content.
The agency stressed that all allegations of child abuse must be treated seriously while encouraging the public to report responsibly to protect vulnerable children and ensure fair investigations.