Police Burst Child-Kidnapping Syndicate, Arrest 9, Rescue 7 in Kano

Ahmad Sorondinki in Kano

The crack team of the Kano State Police Command has unmasked a cartel specialised in the kidnapping and trafficking of minors from Bauchi, Kano, Imo and Anambra States.

Addressing journalists in Kano yesterday, the state Police Commissioner, Mohammed Usaini Gumel, revealed that the police burst a notorious gang that has been operating for 10 years now in the state.

According to him, on December 15, 2023, one Comfort Amos, 45, was intercepted at Mariri luxury bus park in Kano while transiting five-year-old Abdulmutallib Sa’ad to Lagos State.

Gumel revealed that: “Preliminary investigations led to the arrest of other accomplices that include Chika Ezugbu, 52; Joy Nzelu, 43; Clement Ali, 35, and Emeka Ekeidigwe, 55, all residing in Kano for being part of the syndicate committing the crime.

“Also, it was discovered that the five-year-old Sa’ad was abducted on December 12, 2023, from Zango Quarters in Bauchi State.

“Further investigation revealed that the suspects are in the same cycle of abduction, buying and selling minors from Bauchi and Kano States, trafficking and selling them to people within their racket in different locations in Lagos and Anambra States.”

He pointed out that “two syndicate members were arrested in Bauchi, Ruth Yerima, 45, and Abner Samuel, 35, while one other syndicate member was arrested in Lagos, Ndemma Obi, 59, an indigene of Nnewi in Anambra state.”

The Commissioner of Police further explained that through her, another syndicate member was also arrested in Anambra State, Ebere Eriobuna, 59, from Nnewi.

According to him, “This brought the total number of the child trafficking syndicate suspects to nine, among them seven children between the ages of three and eight being rescued by the police.

“Abdulmutallib Sa’ad, 5, male, was abducted from Bauchi; his name was changed to Ifeanyi Chukwu, and sold at N480,000, but rescued by the police at Mariri luxurious park.

“Asiya Muktar, 4, had her name changed to Chioma, and sold for N480,000 years. She was abducted from Bauchi, and rescued on Niger Road, Sabon Gari Quarters, Kano.

“Mahmud Bilyaminu, 3, a male, was abducted in Bauchi and re-named Chioma, and sold for N450,000. He was rescued at Niger Road, Sabon Gari, Kano.

“Also, Usman Adamu, 8, male, abducted from Bauchi, and sold at N450,000:00, and his name was changed to Chibuike. He was rescued at Yoruba Road, Sabon Gari Kano.

“Hafizu Hassan, 8, male, abducted from Bauchi, sold at N480,000:00, and his name changed to Uche Chukwu and also rescued on Niger Road, Sabon Gari Kano.

“Chiamaka Ambrose, 7, a female, was abducted on her birthday at Yelwa in Bauchi, and was sold for N300,000. She was rescued on Niger Road, Sabon Gari Kano, but we are still searching for her parents.

“Meanwhile, Mohammed Iliya, 5, a male, was abducted in Bauchi 3 years ago and sold for N500,000:00; he was renamed as Chidebere and has been rescued in Nnewi, Anambra State.

“Some of these children are cultured and assimilated as they can no longer speak their parent’s languages.”

The commissioner further gave the story of how the network was run over the last 10 years, and vowed that the Command would not relent in its fight against criminal activities in the state, adding that the suspects would be arraigned as soon as investigations are concluded.