The Kano State Police Command has successfully arrested nine suspects engaged in the illicit activities of interstate trafficking, abduction, and the buying and selling of minors. The Commissioner of Police for the state, Usaini Gumel, revealed this information while parading the apprehended individuals at the Bompai command’s headquarters on Thursday.
The arrests were made possible through a series of intelligence-led operations, targeting long-standing interstate trafficking syndicates operating in Kano, Bauchi, Gombe, Lagos, Delta, Anambra, and Imo states. Gumel highlighted that the diligent efforts of the police force led to the identification and dismantling of these criminal networks that had been operating for over a decade.
Seven victims, primarily minors, were successfully rescued from the suspects during these operations. Commissioner Gumel provided details, stating, “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.”
The commissioner further disclosed disturbing details about the traffickers selling children between the ages of three and eight for amounts ranging from N300,000 to N600,000, depending on their ages. One victim, Mohammed Ilya, who was abducted from Bauchi, had his name changed to Chidebere and was recently sold in Nnewi, Anambra State.
Gumel assured the public that the command, under his leadership, is working collaboratively with the state government to ensure the safe return and reunification of all abducted children with their original families. He emphasized the commitment of the police force to implementing robust security measures to eradicate such criminal activities permanently.