The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has intercepted a white 15-seater Peugeot bus, popularly known as J-5, suspected of transporting 59 trafficked children.
The vehicle with the registration number KMC 283 ZJ, was stopped by a team of officers led by Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Sarki Umar along the Abuja-Kano route on January 6.
Addressing journalists in Abuja, the FCT Commissioner of Police, Tunji Disu, revealed that the children, aged between four and 12 years, were being transported in the vehicle driven by Ali Ibrahim, with Alhassan Ibrahim acting as his assistant driver.
Disu stated that preliminary investigations indicated that the children hailed from various families in Kano and were being moved to Nasarawa State under suspicious circumstances.
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“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 travelled to Kano State to convene the children en route to Nasarawa State under the pretext of training them,” Disu explained.
The commissioner noted that the drivers claimed the children were being taken for training purposes but failed to provide proper documentation or parental consent to support their claim. Consequently, the case has been classified as suspected child abuse and trafficking.
Disu assured the public that the children are currently in the custody of the police while investigations continue.
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He added that the driver, his assistant, and the alleged organizer, Idris Usman, are being interrogated to ascertain their roles in the incident.
“This case underscores the need for vigilance and strict enforcement of laws against child trafficking and abuse. The safety and well-being of these children remain our utmost priority as we conduct a thorough investigation,” Disu said.
The FCT Police Command has urged parents and guardians to remain cautious and ensure proper verification before entrusting their children to individuals or organizations for any purpose.
Meanwhile, the public has been encouraged to report suspicious activities involving child movement or trafficking to the nearest police station.
