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The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has recorded a major success in its fight against human trafficking, with the interception of a bus transporting 59 children for exploitation.
A team of policemen, led by Deputy Superintendent of Police Sarki Umar, intercepted a vehicle with registration no. KMC 283 ZJ along the Abuja-Kano route on January 6.
Persecondnews reports that the age of the rescued children ranges from 4 to 12 years.
The vehicle’s driver, Ali Ibrahim, a resident of Kano State, and his assistant, Alhassan Ibrahim, were immediately arrested at the scene.
Addressing journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, FCT Police Commissioner Tunji Disu said preliminary investigations showed that the 59 rescued children, from various families in Kano State, were being transported to Nasarawa State under the false pretext of receiving training.
He said: “On January 6, 2025, at about 1530 hours, a team led by Deputy Superintendent of Police Sarki Umar intercepted a white Peugeot 15 bus with Reg. No. KMC 283 ZJ along the Abuja-Kano route.
“The vehicle was driven by ALI IBRAHIM, a male resident of Kano State, accompanied by his motor boy, AL HASSAN IBRAHIM, also of Kano State. The bus was found to be transporting 59 male children aged between 4 to 12 years.
“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 travelled to Kano State to convene the children en route to Nasarawa State under the pretext of training them.”
According to Disu, the incident has been categorized as a suspected case of child abuse and trafficking due to the suspicious circumstances and the lack of proper documentation or parental consent for the transportation of the children.
He reaffirmed the command’s dedication to safeguarding vulnerable populations, especially children, from exploitation and abuse, in accordance with the provisions of the Child’s Rights Act 2003.
He added: “At present, the suspects, the vehicle, and all the children are in custody while a thorough investigation is underway.
“The Police Command is working closely with the FCT Social Development Secretariat (SDS) to ensure that the children are safely reunited with their families and to bring all those involved in this act to justice.
“We appeal to parents and guardians to remain vigilant and ensure the safety of their children.”
The suspect, who purportedly operates an Islamic school in Nasarawa State, told journalists in an interview that he has spent over four decades as an educator.
He claimed ignorance of the law prohibiting child transportation, yet confessed to instructing the children to beg for food as a means of self-sustenance during their training.
He also said kind-hearted Nigerians sometimes donate food to feed the children, adding that this was his first time of transporting such a large group of children to Nasarawa.
Persecondnews recalls that on April 27, 2024, the command arrested two suspected female kidnappers, Kulu Dogonyaro and Elizabeth Ojah, in Abuja with five minors in their custody.
The suspects, who initially evaded arrest by Sokoto police, were eventually intercepted and apprehended by FCT police operatives at Kagini junction in Abuja.
The suspects and victims were subsequently transferred to the Sokoto State Police Command for continued investigation and eventual prosecution.
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