The Katsina State Government has revealed plans to negotiate the release of
20 of its indigenes, who were kidnapped by bandits and sold as slaves in
Burkina Faso.
The victims were sold to a human trafficker in Benin Republic, who then
resold them to another buyer in Burkina Faso.
Burkina Faso is notorious, in some circles, as a country of origin, transit
and destination for persons, mostly children, subjected to human trafficking,
specifically forced labour and prostitution.
It was gathered that the locations of the victims were discovered following
an interaction between Governor Aminu Bello Masari and some repentant bandits
in eight council areas of the state.
The council areas are, Jibia, Faskari, Danmusa, Kankara, Safana, Sabuwa,
Dandume and Batsari, and they share border with Rugu forest, a dreaded hideout
for bandits.
Special Adviser to the governor on Drugs, Narcotics and Human Trafficking,
Hamza Borodo, confirmed the incident; adding that he would soon travel to
Burkina Faso to negotiate the release of the 20 victims.