Kehinde Fajobi
The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has intercepted a 15-seater Peugeot bus carrying 59 children, aged between 4 and 12, suspected to be victims of trafficking.
The vehicle, with registration number KMC 283 ZJ, was stopped along the Abuja-Kano route on January 6 by a team led by Deputy Superintendent of Police Sarki Umar.
The driver, Ali Ibrahim, and his assistant, Alhassan Ibrahim, both residents of Kano State, were arrested at the scene.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, the FCT Commissioner of Police, Tunji Disu, said investigations revealed that the children, who hail from different families in Kano State, were allegedly being transported to Nasarawa State under the guise of receiving training.
Disu stated, “On January 6, 2025, at about 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 resident of Kano State, accompanied by his motor boy, Alhassan Ibrahim, also of Kano State.
“The bus was found to be transporting 59 male children aged between 4 to 12 years. Preliminary investigations revealed that the children, who came from different families, were being transported by one Idris Usman, a male resident of Nasarawa State.
“He allegedly travelled to Kano State to convene the children en route to Nasarawa State under the pretext of training them.”
The commissioner described the case as suspected child abuse and trafficking, citing the lack of proper documentation or parental consent for the movement of the minors.
He added, “At present, the suspects, the vehicle, and all the children are in custody while a thorough investigation is underway. The Police Command is working closely with the FCT Social Development Secretariat (SDS) to ensure that the children are safely reunited with their families…”