The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has issued a public statement amid renewed discussions over alleged child abuse in Nigerian daycare centres. The debate was reignited after old tweets from singer Simi, dating back to 2012, resurfaced online.
NAPTIP Calls for Vigilance
Director General Binta L. Adamu Bello reiterated the agency’s commitment to investigating every credible report of child exploitation. She urged anyone with factual information or personal experience to report confidentially via direct message or email at info@naptip.gov.ng, with contacts available at both the Abuja headquarters and Lagos Zonal Command.
Simi Clarifies Her 2012 Tweets
Addressing the resurfaced posts on Twitter, Simi stressed the innocent context of her experiences at her mother’s daycare.
“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 said.
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 highlight the importance of careful interpretation of social media content. The agency stressed that all allegations of child abuse must be taken seriously, while urging the public to report responsibly to protect vulnerable children and ensure fair and thorough investigations.
