Uncle Allegedly Lures 18-Year-Old Niece With Fake Abuja Job, Plans N7m Sale

A 34-year-old man identified as Andrawus James has been arraigned before a Chief Magistrate’s Court in Yola, Adamawa State, over allegations that he abducted his 18-year-old niece and planned to sell her for N7 million.

According to reports on the case, James, who resides in Bai village in the Yadim District of Fufure Local Government Area, allegedly confessed to the scheme after reaching an agreement with a prospective buyer.

The case reportedly came to light after the alleged prospective buyer, identified as Mohamed Buba of New Market, Ganye, alerted the authorities. A First Information Report presented before the court indicated that Buba had reported the matter at the Divisional Police Headquarters in Ganye on August 16, 2026.

The prosecution alleged that James had approached Buba, expressing his desire to become wealthy and proposing to sell his niece. The two men allegedly discussed the price and arrangements for transferring the teenager to the intended buyer.

James allegedly then contacted his niece, identified in reports simply as Fatima, and told her that he had secured employment for her in Abuja. He reportedly instructed her not to disclose the supposed job opportunity to her parents.

According to the prosecution’s account, the teenager, who lives with her parents in Damare Ward, Yola South Local Government Area, went with her uncle believing that she was travelling to Abuja for employment.

Instead, James allegedly took her to Ganye, telling her that another person would subsequently take her to the Federal Capital Territory. The alleged plan was reportedly interrupted after Buba informed security personnel about the arrangement.

James was subsequently arrested when he arrived in Ganye with the teenager, according to the reports. He was later arraigned before Chief Magistrate Court 2 in Yola, where the prosecution presented the First Information Report outlining the alleged circumstances of the case.

The court, presided over by Chief Magistrate Dorcas Marvin, ordered that the defendant be remanded in a correctional facility. The matter was adjourned to allow the state Department of Prosecution to provide legal advice.

The Adamawa State Police Command has reaffirmed its commitment to tackling human trafficking, abduction and gender-based violence. The command also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements or questionable employment offers to security agencies.

The case has renewed concerns about the dangers posed by fraudulent employment promises, particularly where vulnerable young people are persuaded to travel away from their families. Authorities continue to urge families and young job seekers to independently verify employment offers and exercise caution before travelling with unfamiliar arrangements.