A Kano State High Court has sentenced six people to a combined 120 years in prison for their involvement in a child trafficking syndicate that kidnapped and sold children under 10. The verdict marks the end of a six-year trial that exposed the disturbing trade of minors between states.
The group was first arrested in 2019, following reports that several children had gone missing from Kano as far back as 2014. Investigations later revealed that the children were taken to Onitsha, Anambra State, and sold.
Those convicted are Mercy Paul, Ebere Ogbono, Emmanuel Igwe, Loise Duru, Monica Oracha, and Chinelo Ifedigwe. They were found guilty of multiple charges, including child abduction, trafficking, concealment, and aiding the operation of the illegal network.
Justice Zuwaira Yusuf, who presided over the case, sentenced each of them without the option of a fine. Mercy Paul received the longest sentence at 55 years, followed by Ebere Ogbono with 41 years. Emmanuel Igwe and Chinelo Ifedigwe each got 9 years, Loise Duru was sentenced to 6 years, and Monica Oracha received 5 years.
The ringleader, Paul Onwe, had earlier pleaded guilty and was sentenced in 2021 to 104 years in prison for 38 offences linked to the case.
The ruling brings a sense of closure to families affected by the kidnappings and highlights the ongoing battle against child trafficking in Nigeria.
