Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Calabar, Nigeria — In a landmark ruling that underscores Nigeria’s ongoing battle against human trafficking, a Federal High Court sitting in Calabar has sentenced two men to 12 years in prison each for the trafficking of eight children, in a case that involved some of the traffickers’ own biological children. The verdict, delivered on Monday, March 23, 2026, follows a protracted legal battle brought by prosecutors from the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Cross River State Command.
The convicted men, Mabum Joseph Arisha and Mutashu Victor Mabum, both residents of Mfom 1 Village in Ogoja Local Government Area of Cross River State, were found guilty on all 17 counts of trafficking and related offences after a full hearing before Justice L. I. Ojukwu. The prosecution presented evidence that the pair had systematically recruited, transferred, and handed over eight children to an accomplice identified as Ada Eze, who remains at large. In a particularly harrowing detail, the prosecution established that several victims were the biological children of the convicts, while the others were children from within their community.
The charges, filed on August 16, 2024, were brought under several provisions of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act (TIPPEA), 2015, including sections which criminalise recruiting, transporting, and exploiting children for labour and other exploitative purposes. When arraigned on October 17, 2024, both defendants pleaded not guilty, setting the stage for a detailed trial rooted in forensic evidence, witness testimony, and investigative records compiled by NAPTIP investigators.
During the trial, prosecutors outlined how the traffickers used deception and coercion to convince families and guardians to surrender children, promising them opportunities for education, work, or better living conditions in other states. Such tactics are common in child trafficking across Nigeria, where economic hardship and limited community awareness often make families vulnerable to unscrupulous middlemen. In this case, the children were transported across state lines, exposing them to the risk of forced labour and other forms of exploitation.
Justice Ojukwu, in delivering the judgment, said the evidence presented in court satisfied the elements of trafficking as defined under Nigeria’s anti-trafficking law, and that the convictions were necessary to deter similar crimes. The judge sentenced both Arisha and Mabum to 12 years imprisonment, ordering that their terms run concurrently and imposing fines of ₦2,000,000 on each count as stipulated by law. The fines are part of statutory penalties designed to strip convicted traffickers of financial gains from exploitation.
In addition to the prison sentences, the court made specific orders regarding the welfare of one of the rescued child victims, identified as Favour Arisha. She was recovered by NAPTIP operatives during the course of the investigation in Lagos State, far from her home community. The court directed that she be placed in the temporary custody of the Cross River State Government through its Ministry of Social Welfare and Community Development. The order requires that she remain in state care pending eventual transfer to a suitable and responsible family member who can provide proper care, protection, and support for her rehabilitation.
The conviction was welcomed by NAPTIP officials as a meaningful breakthrough in addressing child trafficking in the southern region of Nigeria. Since its establishment in 2003, NAPTIP has been at the forefront of efforts to prevent trafficking, prosecute offenders, and protect victims. The agency works in partnership with state governments, civil society groups, and international organisations to strengthen enforcement, raise public awareness, and improve support systems for survivors.
Human trafficking remains a pressing challenge in Nigeria, which is considered both a source and transit country for victims, particularly women and children. Children trafficked within Nigeria are often forced into domestic servitude, hazardous labour, commercial sexual exploitation, or street begging. These abusive situations inflict long-term social and psychological damage on victims and perpetuate cycles of poverty and abuse.
Legal experts note that successful prosecutions like the one in Calabar are important milestones in Nigeria’s efforts to dismantle trafficking networks. However, they also emphasise that legal action must be paired with community-based programs aimed at prevention, education, and social support. Advocacy groups have long stressed the importance of educating vulnerable communities about the tactics traffickers use, strengthening border and inter-state enforcement mechanisms, and providing viable economic alternatives for families at risk.
Child protection advocates also point to the need for comprehensive rehabilitation services for rescued victims. Trafficked children often require trauma counselling, medical care, educational support, and long-term monitoring as they reintegrate into their families or new care arrangements. In many cases, survivors struggle with stigma, loss of education, and emotional trauma long after their physical rescue.
The involvement of biological parents in trafficking crimes, as seen in this case, highlights complex social dynamics that can exist in impoverished regions. Economic desperation, misinformation, and cultural pressures can lead some parents to make decisions that put their children at grave risk. Experts argue that tackling these root causes requires sustained investment in education, community development, and social protection systems that empower families rather than expose them to exploitation.
The sentence handed down by Justice Ojukwu signals a strong stance from Nigeria’s judiciary against child trafficking. It reinforces the message that exploitative practices targeting children will be met with the full force of the law, and that authorities are prepared to pursue cases to conclusion even when they involve complex family and community dynamics.
As the convicts begin serving their sentences, law enforcement agencies in Cross River and beyond say they will continue to pursue leads that may identify and apprehend additional suspects, including the still-at-large Ada Eze. NAPTIP has reiterated its commitment to eradicating human trafficking, urging citizens to report suspicious activities and cooperate with ongoing investigations.
For communities affected by trafficking, the ruling brings a measure of justice and renewal of hope that such abuses will be prevented in the future. It also reinforces the importance of a collaborative approach — involving government, civil society, and the public — to protect children and uphold human rights across Nigeria.
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