Possessed By The Devil? Or Just Plain Old Greed

An attempt to sell a 12-year old boy for N5million has been foiled by the Nigerian Immigration Service in Niger State. Luck ran out on those involved in the deal and the father of the child who was said to have staked his son for the amount as they were rounded up by officers of the immigration while negotiation on the final price was on. Reporters gathered that the father, who played the role of traitor to his son, had approached two prospective buyers, Ahmadu Wakala from Kura village, 40, and Mohammadu Sani, a cobbler, 50, from Sakda village in Kontagora Local Government Area of Niger state for the sale of the boy. The duo allegedly facilitated the business by getting in touch with another prospective buyer who is “deep” into the business in Kaduna State. While the business transaction was going on, the guardian of the boy identified as Ibrahim Musa was informed of the intention to sell the boy but was enraged over the development and had to inform the immigration officers of the deal. The immigration officers then arranged with the guardian on how those involved in the deal could be assembled for a possible arrest. The guardian told them to choose a venue to meet him, pay and collect the boy. Our correspondent learnt that the excited duo, who serve as the go-between, Wakala and Sani, immediately went to the father of the boy and told him that all was “well” as they had succeeded in getting a buyer. The go-between, the father, the guardian and the boy were already in the compound of the father, perfecting their final negotiation when officers of the immigration service swooped on them and arrested all. They were immediately transferred from the Kontagora office to the Minna office for further interrogation. Answering questions from our correspondent at the immigration office Minna, one of the suspects, Wakala confessed being involved in the deal with his partner, Sani. Wakala, who spoke in Hausa, said the amount put on the boy was N5m but added that they, the collaborators, had not been promised what would accrue to them after the deal would have pulled through. He denied having been in the business before, saying “it was our first attempt and it was the Devil that pushed us into it.”

Asked if he could be tempted to sell his own child for money, the suspect simply said, “I couldn’t have attempted to sell my own child since I will not take my child to anyone to sell for me. It was the father of the boy who brought him to us for sale. The state comptroller of immigration, Alhaji Kasim Muhammed Ibrahim, confirmed the story. According to him, “this type of case is rampant and being perpetrated by some people amongst us and we should all watch out because your child could be the next target.” The comptroller said investigations into the case were on and promised that all those involved in the deal would be arrested and prosecuted immediately.