The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has intercepted 59 male children, suspected to be victims of human trafficking, through its patrol and guard unit.
FCT Police Commissioner, Olatunji Disu, revealed that the children, aged between 4 and 12, were found without proper documentation or parental consent, raising concerns of child abuse and trafficking.
“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,” Disu stated during a press briefing on Wednesday.
Providing details of the incident, he said: “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.”
Disu explained that the children were being transported by one Idris Usman, a male resident of Nasarawa State, who allegedly traveled to Kano State to gather the children under the pretext of training them.
“The bus was found to be transporting 59 male children aged between 4 and 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 traveled to Kano State to convene the children en route to Nasarawa State under the pretext of training them,” the Commissioner added.
The police have assured the public of a thorough investigation into the matter to uncover the full extent of the operation and ensure the safety of the children.