By Aideloje Ojo
Minna
The Deputy Governor of Niger State Comrade Yakubu Garba has on Wednesday received 21 children of the state indigene who were intercepted along Nigeria border with Niger Republic while being trafficked to Sudan.
The Deputy Governor in a remark said the children are from Magama local government area of the state adding that they are aged between five and 13 years.
” It is a disturbing circumstance. It is a crime against humanity that destroys the fabric of the society “.
He said that the crime is against section 34(1) of the constitution adding that ” Niger state will not tolerate such heinous act. Govt will enforce all laws and regulations on trafficking “.
According to him, government has directed all local government council chairmen and traditional rulers to ensure enforcement of laws against trafficking of persons including children.
However the father of two of the children, identified as Umar Jamilu said in an interview with journalists that he gave the consent for them to travel to Sudan to acquire Islamic Education.
According to him, ” I am aware and I gave my children to Mallam Abubakar to take them to Niger Republic to learn. He is a close relation who frequently visit Sudan”.
Jamilu said his sons are 9 and 13 years old adding that they are in primary 5 and primary 6 respectively before they left for the study abroad for a fee of N35,000 per person every month.
He said, ” with the agreement, we are paying N35,000 every month for each of them”.
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