No fewer than 21 children, aged between seven and 15 years, have been rescued by operatives of the Yobe State Command of the Nigeria Immigration Service from suspected child traffickers.
According to a statement signed by the Comptroller of the Yobe State NIS Command, SS Jega, the syndicate was intercepted at the Geidam Control Post, Dunari, while attempting to transport the minors to the Niger Republic.
The rescued children, who could not explain their intended destination, were allegedly being trafficked from Labule and Ibeto towns in the Magama Local Government Area of Niger State to Maine Soroa, Niger Republic.
The victims were found inside a Toyota Hiace bus with registration number 10B-87GM (Gombe State).
The immigration officers at the border post became suspicious when the children struggled to provide details of their journey and one of the arrested suspects, Abubakar Saidu (28 years old), claimed to be their guardian and an Islamic teacher from Anaba in Niger State.
The Comptroller General of Immigration, KN Nandap has directed that the suspects be handed over to the appropriate government agency for further investigation.
The NIS has intensified border security measures to prevent similar trafficking cases in the future.
Authorities have urged parents to be vigilant and report suspicious activities to security agencies.
