The Niger State Police Command has rescued nine children believed to be victims of child trafficking and arrested two suspects in two separate operations, according to the command's spokesperson, Superintendent of Police Wasiu Abiodun.
First operation: Six girls intercepted on Madalla-Suleja road
In the first operation, police officers on patrol along the Madalla–Suleja road intercepted a vehicle carrying six girls aged between seven and 13 years. The driver, Dauda Ayuba of Senchi village in Paikoro Local Government Area, was arrested on suspicion of child trafficking.
Preliminary investigations revealed that Ayuba traveled from Benin City, Edo State, to Niger State at the request of a woman identified as Iyee and two other accomplices who are currently at large. The suspect confessed to receiving N194,000 for transportation and logistics and admitted that the children were to be engaged as domestic workers, salesgirls, and other forms of child labour for financial gain.
According to the police, Ayuba deceived the children's parents by claiming he was taking them to school. During interrogation, he allegedly admitted he would receive N10,000 as monthly commission for each child, while N20,000 would be paid as the monthly wage for each child. The police have transferred Ayuba to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation, and the parents of the rescued children have been contacted.
Second operation: Three girls rescued in Minna
In a separate operation, operatives of the Kpakungu Police Division arrested Mary Anthony, 37, in the Gurara area of Minna with three girls aged between eight and 10 years, suspected to be victims of child trafficking. Anthony claimed the children were handed over to her by their parents in Gbachiko Village, Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State, because she had previously apprenticed with the elder sister of one of the victims.
However, police investigations uncovered inconsistencies in her account. Although she claimed she was taking the children to an orphanage in Suleja, she was intercepted in Minna instead. The police have transferred Anthony to the SCID for further investigation, while the three rescued children have been placed in protective custody and their parents contacted.
Ongoing investigations
The police added that investigations are ongoing to apprehend other members of the suspected child trafficking syndicates and ensure they are prosecuted. The rescued children have been reunited with their families, and the police continue to urge the public to report any suspicious activities related to child trafficking.
