The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has intercepted a peugeot 15 bus with Reg. No. KMC 283 ZJ along the Abuja-Kano route with 59 children suspected to be victims of human trafficking.
The Command CP, Olatunji Disu, disclosed this on Wednesday during a press briefing.
He said the bus was found to be transporting 59 male children aged between 4 to 12 years.
According to him, “On 6th January 2025, at about 1530 hours, a team led by Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) 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.
“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.
“This incident has been classified as a case of suspected child abuse and trafficking, given the circumstances and the absence of proper documentation or parental consent for the movement of the minors.
“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 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.
“I want to reiterate our commitment to protecting vulnerable groups, particularly children, from exploitation and abuse in line with the Child’s Right Act 2003. We appeal to parents and guardians to remain vigilant and ensure the safety of their children.”
Meanwhile,a the Kano North senator, Barau Jibrin who came to the Command Headquarters over the incident told newsmen that,the alleged trafficked children are his constituents.
According to him,they are Koranic students who where on their way from Kano to Nasarawa state.
Promising to return all of them home, senator Barau advised Islamic teachers to modernize their Koranic teaching method to avoid such occurrences in the future.
The children were later taken to the FCT welfare department where they would be subsequently returned to their families.
