ASHENEWS reports that a parent, Jamilu Usman on Wednesday admitted to sending his children aged nine and 13 away from Magama, in the Magama local government area of Niger state to the Niger Republic.
Usman spoke shortly after the deputy governor of Niger State, Yakubu Garba briefed journalists on the latest developments involving 21 minors who were rescued by security operatives in collaboration with personnel of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) at the Geidam border post in Yobe state.
The deputy governor earlier told journalists that the children were being trafficked to Niger Republic where they would face inhumane treatment and possibly torture.
But Usman, while speaking to journalists noted that he sent them away with the hope that it would offer them a better future.
Usman, despite being a teacher told journalists that he had earlier withdrawn his children from school due to a lack of teachers or infrastructure.
He also said that he had reached an agreement to pay N35,000 monthly as upkeep for each child.
“We are the ones that take the responsibility, and every month, we are paying a rate of N35,000 per month, per one person. I’m a primary school teacher. It is a religious decision.”
Usman, who strongly expressed familiarity with one Mallam Abubakar said to be transporting the minors, noted “I am aware of their movement and I was the one that gave them to one man called Malam Abubakar to carry my children to Niger Republic to get Islamic religion.
“I know Malam Abubakar because we are in the same area. I know his father, I know his mother, I know his house. One of my senior brothers is married to his junior sister. So, I know Malam. Malam studied in Niger, and that is why we agreed with this Malam Abubakar to carry our children to Niger to get the education.”
Earlier, the Niger State Deputy Governor, Yakubu Garba conveyed the state government’s dismay over the resurgence of child trafficking.
Garba assured that the state government remains committed to protecting all citizens against trafficking, violence, oppression, injustice, and other forms of vices.
“Human trafficking contravenes section 34(1) of the 1999 constitution as amended, which provides that everyone is entitled to respect for the dignity of his person, and accordingly no person shall be subjected to dual torture or inhuman treatment, or held in slavery or servitude, or required to perform forced or compulsory labour.
“This heinous crime is a classical example of man’s inhumanity to man. No person should be subjected to inhumane treatment irrespective of their social, cultural, economic, religious, or educational status.”
Garba who blamed poverty and the search for greener pastures for such acts said that the state government has been working assiduously to better the lives of the people of the state.
“The government of Farmer Umaru Mohammed Bago has been deliberate in addressing these factors through employment opportunities and poverty alleviation policies. The government shall be decisive in our approach and ensure the restoration of peace and human dignity.”
