Policemen in Kwara State have arrested three suspected human traffickers and rescued 41 children in their custody.
The suspects, Musa Ayuba,44, Jeremiah Muda,35, and Luka Ayuba,37, all of Bangi village, near Kontagora in Niger State were arrested on January 14,2023 at Oko-Olowo along Ilorin- Jebba expressway, Ilorin, Kwara State.
The spokesman of Kwara State Police Command, Okasanmi Ajayi said the suspects were intercepted by a detachment of policemen on special security assignment while waiting for a lorry that would convey them to their destination in Ilorin.
“On January 14, 2023, at 0400 hours along the Okolowo expressway, a detachment of policemen on special security assignment intercepted the trio of Musa Ayuba, 44, Jeremiah Muda, 35, and Luka Ayuba, 37, all of Bangi village via Kotongura, Niger State, with 41 young boys and girls (22 boys and 19 girls) with their age ranges between five and fifteen years, while waiting for a lorry that was to convey them to their destination in Ilorin.
“The suspects, while undergoing interrogation, claimed to be coming from Niger State to Ilorin to meet a certain pastor to enroll the children in a yet-to-be-determined school, the claim that looked spurious would be discreetly investigated, as it is highly suspected to be a case of child trafficking.
“The children are at present in the custody of the police command, while efforts to contact the state ministry of women’s affairs and the children’s parents and guardians are ongoing.
“The commissioner of Police, Cp Paul Odama wishes to advise parents and guardians to avoid releasing their children to unknown or deceitful child traffickers, as the children might be used as house helps and other despicable endeavours, which is against the child rights laws,” the police spokesman added.
He said the suspects would be charged to court after a thorough investigation.
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