In a major breakthrough against child trafficking, the Kaduna State Police Command has rescued seventeen children from a suspected trafficking operation and arrested three men believed to be responsible. The operation took place on Wednesday evening under the Dan Magaji bridge in Wusasa, Kaduna, following credible intelligence received by the authorities.
DSP Mansir Hassan, the police spokesperson, explained that officers from the Dan Magaji Division quickly responded to the tip-off and found the children in the company of the suspects. “The children were gathered from different states and were reportedly being transported to Abuja. Our swift response prevented what could have been a serious child trafficking incident,” he said.
The suspects arrested in connection with the case are Musa Shu’aibu, 21, from Funtua in Katsina State; Sani Mamman, 23, from Ingawa in Katsina State; and Mubarak Isma’il, 20, from Unguwa Uku in Kano State. According to DSP Hassan, the men confessed that they had assembled the children from various communities with the intention of taking them to the Federal Capital Territory before police intercepted the journey.
All seventeen children rescued are reported to be in good health and are currently in protective custody. The Kaduna State Police are making efforts to locate the parents or guardians of the children and ensure they are safely reunited. Authorities have assured that the children will receive care and support during this process.
Kaduna State Commissioner of Police, CP Rabiu Muhammad, commended the officers for their prompt and professional response. He also sent a strong warning to anyone involved in child trafficking. “We commend our officers for their swift action that ensured the safety of seventeen children. The Kaduna State Police Command will not tolerate any form of child trafficking or exploitation. Offenders will be arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” CP Muhammad said.
Child trafficking remains a serious challenge in Nigeria, with vulnerable children often lured or abducted under false promises of education, jobs, or better living conditions. Trafficked children are commonly exploited for labor, domestic work, or other illegal purposes, sometimes even moved across state or national borders.
