The Kano State Police Command apprehended nine individuals with a focus on engaging in the trafficking, abduction, purchase, and sale of minors across state borders.
The Commissioner of Police for the state, Usaini Gumel, revealed this information during the presentation of the suspects at the Bompai command’s headquarters on Thursday.
He clarified that the apprehension of the suspects followed numerous intelligence-led operations, during which the prolonged activities of interstate trafficking syndicates operating in Kano, Bauchi, Gombe, Lagos, Delta, Anambra, and Imo states were uncovered and dismantled.
Gumel added that as a result of these operations, seven predominantly minor victims were successfully rescued from the suspects.
“It was through diligent investigations by our dedicated team of officers that the operation of these criminal networks that have been in existence for more than 10 years were identified,” he said.
The commissioner disclosed that some of the rescued children aged between three and eight that were rescued were sold at between N300,000 and N600,000 depending on their ages.
“It was discovered during investigations that a victim, Mohammed Ilya, who was abducted from Bauchi but his name changed to Chidebere was sold recently at Nnewi in Anambra State,” Gumel said.
He stated that the command would work in conjunction with the state government to guarantee the safe return and reunion of all abducted children with their respective families.
The commissioner reassured the public that, under his leadership, the command has implemented security measures aimed at conclusively putting an end to this menace.