by Zara Mustapha

Seven people have been arrested by the  Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Katsina State Command for alleged human trafficking and related offences.

The arrests were confirmed by the NIS Comptroller, Emmanuel Ogbumuo, who briefed newsmen in Katsina on Monday.

Ogbumuo said the suspects were arrested by the NIS patrol team on Kongolam axis following a tip off, adding that the suspects were between the ages of 19 and 29.

PM News reports:

He explained that one of the suspects was in possession of forged ECOWAS travel certificates, while the remaining persons had no travel document.

The comptroller said the suspects were trying to cross the border through the irregular route to Agadez, Niger Republic, then to Libya and finally to Europe.

He reiterated NIS determination to rid the country from human trafficking and illegal immigrants in spite of the nature of Nigerian border.

Ogbumuo said that suspects would be handed over to NAPTIP for further actions.