Kano police rescue 7 children, arrest 9 suspects

Kano State Police Command says it has dismantled a human trafficking syndicate that specializes in abduction, buying and selling of minors.

The Command said that nine suspects had been arrested from the syndicate operating around Kano, Bauchi, Lagos, Delta, Anambra and Imo states.

Addressing journalists while parading the suspects at the Command in Kano on Thursday, the state’s Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Usaini Gumel, said seven children had been rescued.

According to the CP, on December 15, at about 3:25pm, a team of policemen, while on intelligence-led surveillance duties at Mariri Luxurious Park in Kano, intercepted one Comfort Amos, 45, of Tudun Wada Quarters while transiting a child named Abdulmutalib, 5, of Zango Quarters in Bauchi State to Lagos.

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He explained that during preliminary investigation, four other suspects, Chika Ezugbu, 52, of Sabon Gari Quarters, Joy Nzelu, 43, of Sabon Gari Quarters, Clement Ali, 35, of Badawa Quarters, and Emeka Ekeidigwe, 55, of Weitherhead, Sabon Gari Quarters, all in Kano State, were arrested.

CP Gumel stated that the suspects were separately arrested for being part of the syndicate.

He narrated that in the course of investigation, it was discovered that the child, Abdulmutalib, was abducted on December 12 from Bauchi State.

“Further investigation revealed that the suspects are in the same cycle of abducting, buying and selling minors from Bauchi and Kano states, trafficking and selling them to people within their racket in different locations in Lagos and Anambra states.

“In addition, two more syndicate members were arrested in Bauchi, namely: one Ruth Yarima, 45, of Zango Quarters Bauchi and two Abner Samuel, 35, of Yelwa LGA Bauchi State.

“One other syndicate member was also arrested in Lagos State. She is Nndemma Obi, indigene of Nnewi, Anambra State, 59, through whom another syndicate member was also arrested at Anambra State. She is Ebere Eriobuna, 59, of Nnewi. This brought the total number of the child on trafficking syndicate suspects to nine among them seven children between ages of 3 and 8 were rescued by the police.

“It was found during investigations that another victim Mohammed who was abducted from Bauchi but his name changed to Chidebere was sold recently at Nnewi in Anambra State. He has also been rescued.

“On this, members of the public should be assured that a thorough investigation is ongoing by the police command for justice to be served. Kano residents should know that there is no hiding place for criminals in the state,” the CP added.