The Federal Capital Territory police command has intercepted a white Peugeot 15-seater bus transporting 59 children suspected to have been trafficked.
The children are between four and 12 years old.
A team of policemen led by Deputy Superintendent of Police Sarki Umar was said to have stopped the vehicle with registration number KMC 283 ZJ along the Abuja-Kano route on January 6.
The driver, Ali Ibrahim, a Kano State resident, and his assistant, Alhassan Ibrahim, were apprehended on the spot.
Addressing journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, the FCT Commissioner of Police, Tunji Disu said preliminary investigations revealed that the children, who hail from different families in Kano State, were allegedly being transported to Nasarawa State under the guise of receiving training.
He said, “On January 6, 2025, at about 1530 hours, a team led by Deputy Superintendent of Police 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.
“The bus was found to be transporting 59 male children aged between 4 to 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 travelled to Kano State to convene the children en route to Nasarawa State under the pretext of training them.”
Disu added that the incident has been classified as a case of suspected child abuse and trafficking, given the circumstances and the absence of proper documentation or parental consent for the movement of the minors.
“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 added.
He reiterated the command’s commitment to protecting vulnerable groups, particularly children, from exploitation and abuse in line with the Child’s Rights Act 2003.
“We appeal to parents and guardians to remain vigilant and ensure the safety of their children,” Disu stated.
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