The FCT Police Command has revealed that criminal gangs in Abuja allegedly recruit minors, including Almajiri children, to distract motorists during traffic jams, paying them between ₦500 and ₦1,000 per operation. The FCT Commissioner of Police, who spoke during an engagement with residents, warned motorists about this emerging tactic used by traffic robbery syndicates.
How the Recruitment of Minors Works
According to the FCT Police Commissioner, the minors are used as a distraction tool by older gang members. The children approach vehicles pretending to beg or seek assistance, which allows other gang members to steal from the vehicles while the driver's attention is diverted.
“These children were being recruited by these bigger ones. They would be the ones that would stop the vehicle or approach you as if they are begging you for something, distracting you so that when you are paying attention to them, these other ones would be stealing from your vehicle from the other side,” the commissioner said.
Payment and Injuries Reported
The commissioner alleged that the children are paid between ₦500 and ₦1,000 after carrying out their assigned roles. He explained that the payment is minimal, often just enough for a meal.
“They just meet these people that if they are able to steal anything, they will just give them 500 Naira or 1,000 Naira for them to go and eat,” he said.
The police have also identified cases where traffic robbery suspects caused serious injuries to victims. One incident involved a woman whose ear was injured when suspects attempted to remove her earring.
“We have gotten some of them that were responsible in removing a woman's ear because they went to remove her earring, they pulled it and the ear caught,” the commissioner stated.
Children Brought from Other States and Rehabilitation Efforts
The police commissioner also alleged that some of the children involved were brought into Abuja from other states and abandoned for criminal purposes. He noted that many of these minors cannot be prosecuted in the same manner as adult offenders due to their age.
“Unfortunately, most of these children were brought in from another state and dumped here for just this purpose,” he said. The command is working with social welfare authorities to rehabilitate the minors and reunite them with their families.
“When you get them, because of their age, you can't take them to court. But we already have a place for them with the social welfare so that they can be rehabilitated and reunited with their families,” the commissioner explained.
Police Engage Children for Information
The commissioner added that the police also engage the children to gather information about the adults allegedly directing their activities. They offer the same ₦500 or ₦1,000 payment to the children in exchange for information about their handlers.
“We also talk to them and give them the same 1,000 or 500 Naira to tell us who is sending them to do the job,” he said.
The police warning comes amid continued concerns over street vulnerability, child exploitation, and rising cases of robbery targeting motorists in parts of Abuja. The allegations remain claims by the police, and the children identified in such cases are entitled to protection and rehabilitation rather than being broadly labelled criminals.
