Human trafficking: NIS intercepts 21 minors at Nigeria-Niger border

No less than 21 minors suspected to be victims of trafficking were intercepted by the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) at the Geidam border post in Yobe State on Thursday.

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

Sule-Jega said the minors, 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.

“These minors, aged between seven and 15, were intercepted at the Geidam border out-post.

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

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

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

According to him, their parents requested him to find affordable schools for them in Maine, Niger Republic.

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