A Kano State High Court has delivered a landmark judgment, sentencing six individuals to a combined total of 120 years in prison for their involvement in the heinous abduction and trafficking of young children. The judgment, which has drawn widespread attention across Nigeria, marks the conclusion of a case that has dragged on for over six years and exposed the alarming depths of child trafficking networks in the country.
The convicted individuals — identified as Mercy Paul, Ebere Ogbono, Emmanuel Igwe, Loise Duru, Monica Oracha, and Chinelo Ifedigwe — were all found guilty of orchestrating and participating in a sophisticated trafficking ring that specifically targeted vulnerable children, most of whom were under the age of 10. These children were abducted from various parts of Kano State and transported to Onitsha in Anambra State, where they were reportedly sold to unsuspecting buyers or used for illegal adoption purposes.
Delivering the judgment, Justice Zuwaira Yusuf meticulously detailed the evidence presented by the prosecution, which included testimonies from rescued children, parents, undercover investigators, and community members who witnessed suspicious activities linked to the trafficking syndicate. She concluded that the accused were guilty of all charges brought against them, including abduction, unlawful concealment of children, aiding and abetting child trafficking, and illegal trafficking of minors.
In her ruling, Justice Yusuf emphasized the severity of their crimes and the profound psychological and emotional damage inflicted on the victims and their families. She stressed that the harsh sentences were necessary to serve as a strong deterrent to others engaged in such inhumane activities and to send a clear message that crimes against children would not be tolerated in any form.
According to the court's sentencing breakdown, Mercy Paul, identified as a key figure in the ring, received the harshest punishment of 55 years imprisonment. Ebere Ogbono was handed a 41-year prison sentence, while Emmanuel Igwe and Chinelo Ifedigwe each received 9 years. Loise Duru was sentenced to 6 years, and Monica Oracha was given a 5-year sentence. All sentences were without the option of fine, underscoring the gravity of their offenses.
It was also revealed that the mastermind and ringleader of the trafficking syndicate, Paul Onwe, had earlier pleaded guilty to 38 charges in 2021 and was sentenced to 104 years in prison. His plea had initially shocked many Nigerians and drew intense media coverage, as he admitted to orchestrating the abductions and trafficking operations that spanned multiple states.
The remaining six accomplices, however, had pleaded not guilty and opted to go through a full trial. Their arrest in 2019 followed a meticulous investigation by security operatives, who had acted on tips and reports from local vigilantes and non-governmental organizations advocating for child rights. The operation led to the rescue of several children and exposed a network of traffickers operating under the guise of charity and adoption services.
The conviction has sparked renewed public calls for stronger child protection laws, stricter penalties for human trafficking, and better support systems for rescued victims and their families. Many Nigerians have commended the judiciary for ensuring justice, while child rights activists have urged the government to intensify efforts to dismantle similar trafficking networks still operating across the country.
As the case comes to a close, families of the victims expressed mixed emotions — relief that justice had finally been served, but also lingering pain from the trauma their children endured. The ruling stands as a stark reminder of the urgent need for continued vigilance, community cooperation, and stronger legal frameworks to protect Nigeria’s most vulnerable citizens from such atrocities.