Police arrest human traffickers, rescue 41 children in Kwara
The Kwara State Police Command said it had arrested three suspected human traffickers.
A statement by the spokesperson of the command, Osakanmi Ajayi, to reporters in Ilorin on Saturday, stated that the suspects – Musa Ayuba, Jeremiah Muda and Luka Ayuba – hailed from Kontagora Local Government Area in Niger.
According to him, the suspects were arrested along Okolowo expressway on January 14, with 41 children while waiting to transport them to unknown destination.
“On January 14, 2023, at 0400 hours along the Okolowo expressway, a detachment of policemen on special security assignment, intercepted the trio with 41 young boys and girls (22 boys and 19 girls).
“The victims are of different ages of between 5 and 15 years old,” he said.
He explained that while undergoing interrogation, the suspects claimed to be coming from Niger State to Ilorin to meet a certain pastor to enroll the children in a yet-to-be identified place
“Their claims look spurious and we are presently investigating their claims and we would discreetly do that,” he added.
“The children are presently in the custody of our command, and we would soon establish contact with their parents and relevant authorities.
“The Commissioner of Police in Kwara, Mr Paul Odama, wishes to advise parents and guardians to avoid releasing their children to unknown persons,” he said.
“The children might be used as house helps and other despicable endeavours, which is against the child rights laws.
“The suspects would be charged to court after a thorough investigation.”
(NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
States
Independence: NBA urges Nigerians to expect better future
The NBA said that ordinary Nigerians should be deriving benefit from the subsidy removal rather than hardship.
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
World
81-year-old Briton emerges oldest, first science fiction author to win Booker Prize
The 198-page novel, which was the shortest book on the shortlist, is the first work of science fiction to clinch the prestigious £50,000 pound ($67,000) literary award.
NationWide
FG plans assessment tests for foreign graduates before NYSC mobilisation
The FG said the move aimed at preventing certificate fraud and protecting academic standards.
Education
JAMB issues guidelines for prospective 2027 UTME candidates
JAMB has yet to announce when registration for the 2027 UTME will commence.
Heading 1
Suspended Reform UK councillor convicted over post saying Nigerians should be “melted down” to “fill potholes”
During his trial at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court on Monday, Mr Gibblins defended the comments, describing them as a “tongue in cheek” joke.
World
56 migrants died in shipwrecks off Senegal, Greece, says IOM
In one incident, Greek authorities rescued 28 Sudanese migrants and recovered eight bodies.
Economy
Türkiye envoy targets bilateral trade with Nigeria from $2 billion to $5 billion
Mr Poroy noted that the current trade between both countries stood at about $two billion, including oil and gas.
