Kano State Police Command has busted a notorious gang that specialises in child trafficking that has been operating for 10 years in the state.
So far, the police have arrested some members of the gang which has a network from its base in Kano to places that include Bauchi, Anambra and Imo states.
Addressing newsmen in Kano yesterday, the state’s police commissioner, CP Muhammad Usain Gumel, revealed that preliminary investigations have led to the arrest of the perpetrators and recovery of victims.
He explained that on the 15th of December, 2023, one Comfort Amos aged 45 was intercepted at Mariri Luxurious Bus Park in Kano while transiting five-year-old Abdulmutallib Sa’ad to Lagos.
Preliminary investigations led to the arrest of other accomplices that include Chika Ezugbu aged 52 years, Joy Nzelu aged 43, Clement Ali aged 35, Emeka Ekeidigwe aged 55, all residing in Kano for being part of the syndicate committing the crime.
Also, it was discovered that the five-year-old Sa’ad was abducted on the 12th of December 2023, from Zango Quarters in Bauchi State.
“Further investigation revealed that the suspects are in the same cycle of abducting, buying and selling minors from Bauchi and Kano states, trafficking and selling them to people within their racket in different locations in Lagos and Anambra states,” the CP said while parading the suspects at the Police Command.
More so, he added that two syndicate members were arrested in Bauchi that include Ruth Yerima aged 45 years, Abner Samuel aged 35 years while one other syndicate member was arrested in Lagos namely Ndemma Obi, aged 59 years and an indigene of Nnewi in Anambra State.
“Through her another syndicate member was also arrested at Anambra State, she is Ebere Eriobuna, aged 59 years of Nnewi.
“This brought the total number of the child trafficking syndicate suspects to nine among them seven children between the ages of 3-8 being rescued by Police,” the CP added.
“Abdulmutallib Sa’ad, aged 5 years, male, was abducted from Bauchi, his name changed to Ifeanyi Chukwu and sold at N480,000:00, but rescued by the police at Mariri Luxurious Park.
“Asiya Muktar, female, her name changed to Chioma, sold N480,000 aged 4 years, abducted from Bauchi, and rescued at Niger Road, Sabon Gari Quarters, Kano.
“Mahmud Bilyaminu, aged 3 years, male abducted from Bauchi, re- named Chioma, sold N450,000 and rescued at Niger Road, Sabon Gari, Kano.
“Usman Adamu, aged 8 years, male, abducted from Bauchi, sold at N450,000:00, and his name changed to Chibuike also rescued at Yoruba Road, Sabon Gari Kano.
“Hafizu Hassan, aged 8 years, male, abducted from Bauchi, sold at N480,000:00, and his name changed to Uche Chukwu rescued at Niger Road, Sabon Gari Kano.
“Chiamaka Ambrose, aged 7 years, female, abducted on birthday at Yelwa Bauchi, sold at N300,000:00, rescued at Niger Road, Sabon Gari Kano, we are still searching for her parents.
“Mohammed Iliya, aged 5 years, male, abducted from Bauchi 3 years back, sold at N500,000:00, and renamed as ‘Chidebere’ been rescued at Nnewi, Anambra State.
“Some of these children are cultured and assimilated as they can no longer speak their parents languages,” the CP further said.
The police commissioner stated that as soon as investigations are through, they will be arraigned before the court of law.
He called on the public to continue to provide them with useful information in their efforts to rid Kano of crimes.
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