The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) police command says it has intercepted a 15-seater vehicle which was carrying 59 children believed to have been trafficked. The ages of the children range from four to 12 years.
It added that the driver, Ali Ibrahim, a resident of Kano State, and his assistant, Alhassan Ibrahim, were taken into custody at the scene.
During a briefing to reporters in Abuja on Wednesday, FCT Commissioner of Police (CP) Tunji Disu stated that initial investigations indicated that the children, coming from various families in Kano State, were allegedly being transported to Nasarawa State under the pretence of receiving training.
He said: “On January 6, 2025, at approximately 1530 hours, a team led by Deputy Superintendent of Police Sarki Umar intercepted a white Peugeot 15 bus with Reg. No. KMC 283 ZJ along the Abuja-Kano route. The vehicle was driven by ALI IBRAHIM, a male from Kano State, and his assistant, AL HASSAN IBRAHIM, also from Kano State.
“The bus was discovered to carry 59 male children aged between 4 and 12 years. Preliminary investigations showed that the children, who belong to different families, were being transported by one Idris Usman, a male residing in Nasarawa State.
“He allegedly went to Kano State to collect the children to take them to Nasarawa State under the guise of providing training.”
Disu further explained that the incident has been categorised as a suspected case of child trafficking and abuse due to the circumstances and the lack of proper documentation or parental approval for the transfer of the minors.
The CP stressed the command’s dedication to safeguarding vulnerable populations, particularly children, from exploitation and abuse under the Child’s Rights Act 2003 and urged parents and guardians to stay alert and ensure the safety of their children.
