The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has intercepted 59 male children, aged between 4 and 12, suspected to be victims of human trafficking.
The operation, carried out by the patrol and guard unit, has been described as a major breakthrough in the fight against child trafficking and abuse.
Speaking at a press briefing on Wednesday, the FCT Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, revealed that the children, who hail from different families, were being transported in a white Peugeot 15-seater bus with registration number KMC 283 ZJ.
The vehicle was intercepted along the Abuja-Kano route on January 6, 2025, at about 3:30 pm.
According to Disu, the preliminary investigation revealed that the children were being moved by one Idris Usman, a resident of Nasarawa State, under the guise of training them.
The vehicle was driven by Ali Ibrahim, a Kano State resident, accompanied by his assistant, Al Hassan Ibrahim.
Disu said, “Preliminary investigations revealed that the children, who came from different families, were being transported by one Idris Usman, a male resident of Nasarawa State.
He allegedly traveled to Kano State to convene the children en route to Nasarawa State under the pretext of training them.”
He further noted that neither proper documentation nor parental consent was provided for the movement of the minors, raising serious concerns about their safety and the intent of their transportation.
“All suspects, the vehicle, and the children are currently in custody while a thorough investigation is underway.
The Police Command is working closely with the FCT Social Development Secretariat (SDS) to ensure the safe reunification of the children with their families and to bring all perpetrators involved in this heinous act to justice,” Disu added.
The incident has heightened awareness about child trafficking in Nigeria and the need for vigilance.
The FCT Police Command has reiterated its commitment to combating human trafficking and protecting vulnerable groups, particularly children.
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