>
By Akinwande Soji-Ojo
A man, identified as Yohanna Saidolo, has allegedly sold six children belonging to his neighbours, after taking them from their parents under the guise of enrolling them in a missionary school.
The suspect, according to reports, deceived and collected his neighbours’ children in Koma village, Jada Local Government Area of Adamawa State.
He reportedly delivered the children to one Madam Lydia of Rhumde-Baru, Jambutu satellite town, Yola, the state capital.
Markus Anthony, a parent of one of the victims, said Saidolo promised to enrol the children in a missionary school in Yola.
“We couldn’t hear from our kids, and they could not come home for any holiday; not even during Christmas,” Anthony lamented.
The parents were said to have reported the matter to the police.
Upon his arrest, Saidolo confessed to selling off the children.
“I actually delivered eight children to Madam Lydia, including two of my children,” Saidolo said.
The defendant was on Wednesday arraigned before a Chief Magistrate’s Court in Yola.
The police prosecutor, Ibrahim Aliyu, said the offences contravened sections 257 and 259 of the Penal Code Law, 2018 of the state.
The Magistrate, Alheri Ishaku, ordered his remand in a custodial centre.
Ishaku also granted the prosecution’s request to transfer the case file to the Directorate of Public Prosecutions for legal advice.
As of now, the whereabouts of the children remains unknown, as the police continue with their investigation.
The case was adjourned till March 25, 2022.
(The PUNCH)