THE Kano State Police Command has broken a chain of child-trafficking syndicates, arrested nine suspects and rescued seven underground victims, aged between three and eight.
The systematic busting of the gang, the state Commissioner of Police, CP Mohammed Usaini Gemel, said at a press briefing in Bompai, the Command headquarters on Thursday, 28 December began on 15 December at about 3:35 pm.
He stated that a team of policemen, while on intelligence-led surveillance duties at Mariri Luxurious Park, Kano, intercepted a female suspect, 45-year-old Comfort Amos of Tudun Wada Quarters while transiting to Lagos with 5-year-old Abdulmutalib Sa’ad of Zango Quarters in Bauchi State.
The arrest of Comfort, and subsequent preliminary investigation, led to the identification and arrest of four additional members, two males and two females, in separate operations, as being part of the syndicate that was responsible for the heinous crime.
They are Chika Ezugbu, 52 and Joy Nzelu, 43, both females of Sabon Gari Quarters; Clement Ali, 35, (m) of Badawa Quarters, Kano, and Emeka Ekeidigwe, 55, (m), of Weatherhead Sabon Gari Quarters Kano.
According to the CP, in the course of investigation, it was discovered that the minor, Abdulmutalib, was abducted three days previously in December in Bauchi State.
Further investigation, CP Gemel stated, 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.
Two more syndicate members, comprising a male and female, 45-year-old Ruth Yarima and Abner Samuel, 35, both of Bauchi State, from Zango Quarters and Yelwa Local Government Area, respectively.
One other female member of the syndicate, 59-year-old Nndemma Obi, an indigene of Nnewi in Anambra State, was arrested in Lagos State, through whom another female syndicate member, Ebere Eriobuna, 59, was arrested in Nnewi, Anambra State.
“It was found out during investigation that another victim, Mohammed Ilya, who was abducted from Bauchi and his name changed to Chidebere, was sold recently at Nnewi in Anambra State. He has also been rescued”, the police boss disclosed.
He further said, “On this, members of the public should be assured that, as thorough investigations are ongoing by the police command for justice to be served, Kano residents should know that there is no hiding place for criminals in the state”.
According to CP Gemel, “Below is the pathetic story on how the network was run over the last ten (10) years: Abdulmutallib Sa’ad, aged 5 years, ‘m’ was abducted from Bauchi, his name changed to Ifeayin Chukwu and sold at ₦480,000:00, but rescued by the police at Mariri Luxurious Park.
“Asiya Muktar, 4, (f), was abducted in Bauchi, sold for N480,000, had her name changed to Chioma, and rescued on Niger Road, Sabon- Gari Quarters, Kano.
“Mahmud Bilyaminu, 3, (m), abducted in Bauchi, sold for N450,000, re-named Chioma,
and rescued on Niger Road, Sabon Gari, Kano.
“Usman Adamu, 8, (m), abducted in Bauchi, sold for ₦450,000:00, renamed Chibuke, rescued on Yoruba Road, Sabon Gari Kano.
“Hafizu Hassan, 8, (m), abducted in Bauchi, sold for ₦480,000:00, renamed Uche Chukwu, rescued on Niger Road, Sabon Gari Kano.
“Chiamaka Ambrose, 7, (f’), abducted on her birthday at Yelwa, Bauchi, sold ₦300,000:00, rescued on Niger Road, Sabon-Gari Kano”.
In Chiamaka’s case, the Command stated that “We are still searching for her parents”.
Mohammed Iliya, 5, (m), was said to have been abducted in Bauchi three years ago, sold for ₦500,000:00, renamed Chidebere, and rescued in Nnewi, Anambra State.
Sadly, the CP said, “Some of these children are cultured and assimilated as they can no longer speak their parents’ language”
Note: In the front row of the pix were the seven rescued children; behind them were the arrested suspects
Eighteen-Eleven Media