Operatives of Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) in Yobe state have rescued twenty-one minors suspected of being trafficked at a checkpoint in the state.
Gatekeepers News reports that S.S. Jega, the command’s comptroller, in a statement on Thursday, disclosed that the children aged between 7 and 15 were rescued at a checkpoint in the state.
Jega noted that they were travelling in a Toyota Hiace bus with registration number 10B-87GM when officers stopped them at Geidam control post in Dunari, close to Niger Republic border.
He said, “The vehicle was transporting 21 minors from Labule and Ibeto in Magama Local Government Area of Niger State to Maine Soroa in the Niger Republic.”
“NIS officers stationed near the Geidam control post in Dunari, Yobe State, intercepted the bus and rescued the children, who are between the ages of 7 and 15.”
The comptroller said the minors had no idea where they were being taken and were not with any valid travel papers or means of identification.
He noted that Abubakar Saidu, a 28-year-old Islamic school teacher from Anaba in Magama LGA of Niger state who acted as the children’s guardian was also arrested.
Jega added, “We suspect this to be a case of human trafficking due to the lack of proper
documentation and authorisation.”
“These children will be transferred to the appropriate agencies for further investigation and legal action.”
