The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command’s Rapid Response Squad (RRS) 74 has arrested a pastor, Simon Kado, his relative Jesse Simon-Kado, and their driver, Muhammad Isah, on allegations of trafficking underage children.
The operation that led to the trio’s arrest, according to a statement on Saturday by the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, took place in the early hours of Friday, February 9, 2024.
She added that 12 children, ranging from five to 16 years old, who were being transported from Nasarawa State to Ogun State were also rescued by the operatives.
The police spokeswoman said investigations have so far revealed that the children, all hailing from Akwanga Local Government Area (LGA) in Nasarawa State, were being trafficked to an undisclosed location in Ogun State under the direction of Pastor Simon Kado and Jesse Simon-Kado.
Both suspects are currently in police custody as investigations continue, with efforts being made in collaboration with the Nasarawa State Police Command to reunite the victims with their families.
Adeh said: “Operatives of the FCT Police Command attached to the Rapid Response Squad 74, on Friday, February 9, at about 12:55 am, intercepted one Muhammad Isah, male, of Kafanchan, Kaduna State in a Toyota Hiace bus with Reg No APP 489 XE, conveying twelve; four male and eight female; underaged children to a destination later discovered to be in Ogun state.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the children whose ages are between five years to 16 years, all from Akwanga LGA, Nasarawa State were being trafficked to Ogun state by one Pastor Simon Kado, male, and Jesse Simon-Kado, male, who are now presently in police custody.
“While the investigation is still ongoing and efforts in conduit with Nasarawa State Police Command on how to reunite victims with their respective families, the Commissioner of Police FCT, Benneth Igweh, wishes to reiterate that the safety of residents remains his utmost priority.”
