57- year -old man jailed four years for trafficking nine children to Sudan
A Federal High Court in Damaturu, Yobe State , has sentenced a 57- year -old man , Shuaibu Salihu , to four years ’ imprisonment for trafficking nine underage children to Sudan.
Our correspondent learnt that Salihu , a native of Farantama village in the Albasu Local Government Area of Kano State , was arraigned by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons on two counts of procuring underage children for trafficking to Sudan.
The anti -trafficking agency said on Monday that the act was contrary to Section 26 ( 2) of the Trafficking in Person ( Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act 2015.
Our correspondent gathered that Salihu , who was a trader , was nabbed by officials of the Nigeria Immigration Service , Yobe State Command, in Damaturu in 2017, while he and the victims were trying to cross the Geidam /Niger Republic border.
It was learnt that Salihu was later handed over to NAPTIP for further investigation and prosecution .
In a release by the Head, Press and Public Relations , Stella Nezan, the judge, Justice Hamma Dashi , sentenced him to four years ’ imprisonment without an option of fine .
“ The suspect , a native of Farantama village in Kano State , was arraigned on two counts of procuring nine underage victims with the intention of taking them to Sudan for possible exploitation , an act contrary to Section 26 ( 2) of the Trafficking in Person ( Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act 2015.
“ He was arrested by officers of the Nigeria Immigration Service and handed over to us for proper investigation and prosecution . Justice Hamma Dashi, having listened to the counsel and their witnesses , found the suspect guilty and sentenced him to four years ’ imprisonment without an option of fine . ”
The Director General of NAPTIP, Julie Okah – Donli, warned traffickers to desist from illegal acts , as the agency had partnered other law enforcement agencies to tackle human trafficking in the country.