Police Intercept Suspected Human Traffickers, Rescue 76 Children In Kaduna

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has foiled an attempted trafficking of children in the Kasuwan Magani area of Kaduna State, rescuing 76 boys and girls unharmed.

Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, saying the Kaduna State Police Command acted on credible intelligence received on January 5, 2026, that suspected bandits were planning to attack and kidnap motorists conveying children through the area.

“Upon receipt of the intelligence, the Divisional Police Officer, Kasuwan Magani Division, was promptly mobilised with a team of police personnel to the area.

“On arrival, the police team engaged and successfully repelled the suspected attackers, leading to the rescue of seventy-six (76) children, comprising both males and females, aged between seven (7) and twenty (20) years. All the rescued children were unharmed,” Hundeyin said.

He added that three suspects: Jonathan John (25), Oliver Magaji (27), and Bitrus Sawaba (23) were arrested during the operation.

Preliminary investigations revealed that “the suspects were conveying the children to some parts of the country for child labour and other domestic work.”

According to the police spokesman, “the suspects are currently in police custody, while the rescued children are being kept safely at the Command Headquarters pending the arrival and proper identification of their parents or guardians.”

He said investigations had commenced to unravel the full circumstances surrounding the incident and to identify other possible collaborators, noting that the suspects would be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.

Hundeyin reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to safeguarding lives and property, urging members of the public to support proactive policing by providing timely and credible information.

“The Nigeria Police Force remains committed to the protection of lives and property and urges members of the public to continue to support the Police with timely and credible information,” he stated.