Kwara police arrest human traffickers, rescue 41 children

The Kwara State Police Command says it has arrested three suspected human traffickers.

A statement by the spokesperson of the command, Osakanmi Ajayi, sent to journalists in Ilorin on Friday, 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 the Okolowo Expressway on January 14 with 41 children while awaiting transport to an unknown destination.

“On January 14, 2023, at 04:00 on the Okolowo expressway, a police detachment on special security duty intercepted a trio with 41 boys and girls (22 boys and 19 girls).

“The victims vary in age between 5 and 15 years,” he said.

He explained that while being interrogated, the suspects claimed to have come from Niger State to Ilorin to meet a certain pastor to register the children at an undisclosed location.

“The claim appears to be false and we are currently investigating the claim and we will act accordingly,” he said.

“The children are currently in the custody of our command, and we will contact the parents and the relevant authorities soon.”

“The Commissioner of Police in Kwara, Mr. Paul Odama, wants to advise parents and guardians not to release their children to strangers,” he said.

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“Children can be used as domestic help and other despicable efforts, which violate the law of child rights.

“The suspects will be charged to court after a thorough investigation.”

(AT)

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