Immigration intercepts 21 suspected trafficked children at Nigeria-Niger Republic border

The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) on Thursday intercepted 21 children suspected to be victims of trafficking in Yobe State.

The Yobe State Comptroller of the NIS, Mr. Sani Sule-Jega disclosed this while handing over the children to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for further investigation.

He said the children aged between seven and 15 were without travel documents and were being transported from Magama Local Government Area of Niger State to the Republic of Niger.

The comptroller said: “These minors, aged between seven and 15, were intercepted at the Geidam border outpost.

“Our core mandate is border security and migration management, and this interception is a testament to our commitment.

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“They were travelling without any documentation, raising our suspicion, hence we handed them over to NAPTIP for proper investigation.”

“The suspected trafficker identified as Abubakar Sadiq, claimed the children were being taken to Niger Republic for educational purposes.

“He said their parents requested him to find affordable schools for them in Maine, Niger Republic.”

The driver, the suspected trafficker, and the rescued children have been handed over to NAPTIP for further investigation.

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