By Sabiu Abdullahi
The Kano State Police Command apprehended nine suspects accused of engaging in inter-state trafficking, abduction, and the illicit buying and selling of minors.
The arrests were announced by the State Police Commissioner, Usaini Gumel, during a press conference held at the Bompai command’s headquarters on Thursday.
Gumel revealed that the suspects were captured following a series of intelligence-led operations, successfully dismantling long-standing inter-state trafficking syndicates operating in Kano, Bauchi, Gombe, Lagos, Delta, Anambra, and Imo states.
The commissioner highlighted the commendable efforts of the police’s dedicated team in identifying and neutralising these criminal networks that had evaded authorities for over a decade.
A total of seven victims, predominantly minors, were rescued from the clutches of these criminal activities, shedding light on the dark underworld of child trafficking.
Gumel disclosed that rescued children, aged between three and eight, were reportedly sold at prices ranging from N300,000 to N600,000, depending on their ages.
During investigations, it was revealed that a victim named Mohammed Ilya, originally abducted from Bauchi but renamed Chidiebere, was recently sold in Nnewi, Anambra State.
The police commissioner noted the gravity of the situation and pledged to collaborate with the state government to ensure the safe return and reunification of all abducted children with their families.
He reassured the public that the Kano State Police Command, under his leadership, had implemented reinforced security measures to eradicate this menace once and for all.