Kaduna: Police foil attempt to kidnap 76 children, nab 3 suspects

By Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja

The Nigeria Police Force said its operatives have foiled attempt to abduct 76 children, aged between seven and 20 years being transported for domestic work from being abducted by suspected bandits in the Kasuwan Magani area of Kaduna State.

Benjamin Hundeyin, the spokesperson for the Nigeria police Force revealed this in a statement on Wednesday.

According to him, the rescue of the children followed information received by the police at about 8pm last Monday that suspected bandits were planning to attack and kidnap motorists conveying children through the area.

He added that upon receipt of the intelligence, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Kasuwan Magani Division, promptly mobilised a team of police personnel to to confront the suspected bandits.

“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 added that three suspects identified as Jonathan John ‘m’ aged 25, Oliver Magaji ‘m’ aged 27, and Bitrus Sawaba ‘m’ aged 23 were also arrested in the course of the operation.

Hundeyin further revealed that preliminary investigations showed that the three suspects were conveying the children to some parts of the country for the purpose of child labour and other domestic work.

He added that 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.

Hundeyin said investigations have commenced to ascertain the full circumstances surrounding the incident and arrest of other possible collaborators involved. The suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.

“The Nigeria Police Force reiterates its commitment to the protection of lives and property and urges members of the public to continue to support the Police with timely and credible information to aid proactive policing” the police spokesperson concluded