The Kaduna State Police Command has arrested three men for alleged involvement in child trafficking after rescuing seventeen children believed to be on their way to Abuja and possibly other parts of the country.
The command’s spokesperson, DSP Mansir Hassan, announced the development in a statement, explaining that the suspects were apprehended around 4pm on Wednesday evening under the Dan Magaji bridge in Wusasa following credible intelligence.
According to him, officers from the Dan Magaji Division swiftly moved to the location where they found the children in the company of the suspects, who had reportedly gathered them from different states with plans to transport them to Abuja.
The suspects were identified as Musa Shu’aibu, aged twenty one of Funtua in Katsina State, Sani Mamman, aged twenty three of Ingawa in Katsina State, and Mubarak Isma’il, aged twenty of Unguwa Uku in Kano.
DSP Hassan said the men confessed that they assembled the children from various communities with the intention of taking them to the Federal Capital Territory before security operatives intercepted the journey.
The police confirmed that all seventeen children are in good health and currently in protective custody while efforts are underway to locate their parents.
Kaduna State Commissioner of Police, CP Rabiu Muhammad, commended the officers for their swift response and reiterated that the command will not tolerate any form of child trafficking or exploitation. Authorities urge parents to remain vigilant as investigations continue.