The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Katsina State Command, said it has succeeded in arresting two suspected human traffickers and rescued 18 victims, including a three-year-old baby.

The NIS Comptroller, Muazu AbdulRazaq, disclosed this on Tuesday in Katsina during a press briefing.

He said that the suspects were arrested by NIS operatives attached to Charanchi patrol base, following an intelligence report.

Mr. AbdulRazaq said that the operatives were able to arrest the two suspected traffickers, while one other suspect escaped, abandoning his vehicle.

According to him, the two suspects, “mischievously arranged a fake marriage to enable them to traffic two minors who were between three and nine years old.”

According to him, the remaining victims were between the ages of 20 and 45 and consisted of eight males and 12 females.

Mr. AbdulRazaq said the investigation revealed that the suspects had planned to cross the border through an irregular route along the Jibia axis, to Agadez in Niger Republic and proceed to Libya.

The comptroller said further investigation showed that only one of the victims possessed a valid travel document.

He added that the suspected traffickers and their victims would be handed over to NAPTIP for further action.

He reiterated the determination of the command to effectively man the borders to curtail the influx of irregular migrants and transnational criminals.