Man Arrested Over Trafficking Of Two Girls In Zamfara

A 25-year-old man, Bala Abubakar, has been arrested in Zamfara State for allegedly trafficking two 13-year-old girls from Shinkafi Local Government Area to Gusau, with plans to transport them to Suleja, Niger State.

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) said the suspect was arrested in the Lalan area of Gusau, while the two girls were rescued.

The girls, identified as Amira Baje Ibrahim and Haulatu Shaibu, are also from Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State, according to a statement issued by the NSCDC spokesperson, Umar Mohammad.

Preliminary investigations indicated that the girls were allegedly being taken to meet two individuals identified as Hadiza and Bara’atu, popularly known as Yar Baba, in Suleja.

The NSCDC did not disclose the intended purpose of the alleged transfer or whether the two individuals in Niger State had been arrested.

The state commandant, Sani Mustapha, said the operation was conducted in line with the corps’ procedures and in collaboration with other security agencies.

He directed that the case be transferred to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for further investigation and appropriate action.

The NSCDC said it would pursue a thorough investigation and ensure that suspects were prosecuted if sufficient evidence was established.

The corps urged residents to provide credible information to security agencies to help combat human trafficking and other crimes.