The Kano State Police Command has arrested nine suspects after busting an interstate child abduction and trafficking syndicate.

On Thursday, the state Commissioner of Police, Usaini Gumel, explained that officers apprehended the suspects after months-long intelligence-led operations.

According to the commissioner, the police operation led to the discovery and dismantling of the long-time cycle of interstate trafficking syndicates hibernating around Kano, Bauchi, Gombe, Lagos, Delta, Anambra and Imo states.

The police commissioner revealed that seven victims, who are mostly minors aged between three and eight, were sold between N300,000 and N600,000, depending on their ages, before they were rescued.

The commissioner said, “It was through diligent investigation by our dedicated team of officers that the operation of these criminal networks that have been in existence for more than 10 years was identified.

“It was discovered during investigations that a victim, Mohammed Ilya, who was abducted from Bauchi but his name changed to Chidebere, was sold recently at Nnewi in Anambra State.”

Mr Gumel assured that the command would liaise with the state government to make sure that all the abducted children are reunited with their families, adding that the command had put in place security measures to stop the menace.