59 Trafficked Children, Aged 4 To 12, Found In Bus In Abuja

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has announced that its patrol and guard unit intercepted 59 male children suspected to be victims of human trafficking.

According to the FCT Police Commissioner, Olatunji Disu, the children are aged between 4 and 12.

Disu, at a press briefing on Wednesday, said the incident has been classified as a case of suspected child abuse and trafficking, given the absence of proper documentation or parental consent for the movement of the minors.

Disu said a preliminary investigation revealed that the children, who came from different families, were being transported by one Idris Usman, a male resident of Nasarawa State.

He said Usman allegedly travelled to Kano State to convene the children en route to Nasarawa State under the pretext of training them.

The statement reads in part, "On 6th January 2025, at about 1530 hours, a team led by Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) 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, Al Hassan Ibrahim, also of Kano State.

"The bus was found to be transporting 59 male children aged between 4 and 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 traveled to Kano State to convene the children en route to Nasarawa State under the pretext of training them.”

"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 FCT Social Development Secretariat (SDS), to ensure that the children are safely reunited with their families and to bring all those involved in this act to justice,” he added.