Uncle lures 18-year-old niece with fake Abuja job, plans N7m sale

An Adamawa State man, Andrawus James, has been remanded in custody after allegedly abducting his 18-year-old niece, Fatima, as part of a plan to sell her to a prospective buyer for N7 million.

James, a middle-aged resident of Bai village in Yadim District, Fufure Local Government Area, reportedly confessed to the alleged offence when he was arraigned before Chief Magistrate Court 2 in Yola.

The court, presided over by Magistrate Dorcas Marvin, ordered that the defendant be remanded in a correctional facility and adjourned the case pending legal advice from the state Department of Prosecution.

During the arraignment, the prosecution officer, ASP Ezra Bulus, tendered a First Information Report detailing the circumstances surrounding the alleged abduction.

According to the report, the matter was reported on August 16, 2026, by one Mohamed Buba of New Market, Ganye, in Ganye Local Government Area, at the Divisional Police Headquarters.

The prosecution alleged that James had earlier approached Buba, expressing his desire to become wealthy and informing him that he had decided to sell his niece.

The two men subsequently negotiated the girl’s price, reportedly agreeing on N7 million, as well as arrangements for her delivery to the prospective buyer.

After reaching the agreement, James allegedly contacted Fatima, who lives with her parents in Damare Ward, Yola South Local Government Area.

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He reportedly deceived the teenager by telling her that he had secured a job for her in Abuja. James also allegedly instructed her not to disclose the arrangement to her parents or anyone else.

Fatima subsequently met with her uncle, believing she was travelling to Abuja for employment. However, James allegedly took her to Ganye instead.

According to the prosecution’s account, he told the teenager that she would be handed over to another person who would eventually transport her to the Federal Capital Territory.

The alleged plan was reportedly uncovered after Buba, who was said to have become concerned about the arrangement, alerted security personnel.

Security operatives subsequently arrested James shortly after he arrived in Ganye with the teenager, preventing the alleged handover.

The defendant was thereafter brought before the court, where the prosecution presented the First Information Report outlining the alleged conspiracy, abduction and planned sale of the 18-year-old.

Following the proceedings, the court ordered James’ remand and adjourned the matter pending legal advice from the Department of Prosecution.

The case is expected to return to court after the prosecution receives the required legal advice.