The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), in Yobe State, intercepted 21 minors suspected to be victims of human trafficking at a checkpoint near the Niger Republic border.
The children, aged between 7 and 15, were discovered aboard a Toyota Hiace bus (registration number 10B-87GM) at the Geidam control point in Dunari.
According to a statement released by the NIS on Thursday, the bus was transporting the minors from Labule and Ibeto towns in Magama Local Government Area of Niger State to Maine Soroa in Niger Republic.
Yobe State Comptroller of Immigration, Mr. S.S. Jega, disclosed that the minors had no knowledge of their destination and were traveling without valid identification or travel documents.
“We suspect possible human trafficking due to the absence of travel documents and supportive papers,” Jega stated.
He further confirmed that the children would be handed over to the appropriate authorities for further investigation and prosecution.
Their guardian, Abubakar Saidu, a 28-year-old Islamic school teacher from Anaba, Magama Local Government Area, Niger State, was also apprehended in connection with the case.
