Police foil child trafficking plot in Kaduna, rescue 76 kids, nab suspects

Abdullateef Fowewe

The operatives of the Nigeria Police Force thwarted an attempted attack and kidnapping in Kaduna State, rescuing 76 children from suspected traffickers and arresting three men on Monday night.

CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, Force Public Relations Officer at Force Headquarters, announced the success in a statement Wednesday.

Acting on credible intelligence received around 8:00 p.m. on January 5, the Divisional Police Officer of Kasuwan Magani Division mobilised a team to the area, where bandits planned to abduct motorists transporting children.

The officers engaged the attackers head-on, repelling them without harm to the 76 rescued children—boys and girls aged 7 to 20.

Three suspects fell into custody during the clash: Jonathan John, 25; Oliver Magaji, 27; and Bitrus Sawaba, 23. Preliminary probes uncovered their intent to traffic the children across the country for child labor and domestic work.

The suspects remain in custody, while the children are safely housed at the Kaduna Command Headquarters awaiting reunification with parents or guardians.

Investigations continue to uncover accomplices, with charges to follow.

Hundeyin reaffirmed the force’s resolve, “The Nigeria Police Force reiterates its commitment to the protection of lives and property and urges members of the public to continue to support the Police with timely and credible information to aid proactive policing.”