Police arrest suspected human traffickers, rescue 41 children

By Mosunmola Ayobami, Ilorin

The Kwara State Police Command has rescued 41 children (22 boys and 19 girls) with their age ranging between five and 15 years, while waiting for a lorry that was to convey them to their destination in Ilorin on Saturday.

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Ajayi Okasanmi made the disclosure in a statement on Saturday.

“On January 14, 2023, at 0400 hours along the Okolowo Expressway, a detachment of policemen on special security assignment intercepted the trio of Musa Ayuba, 44, Jeremiah Muda, 35, and Luka Ayuba, 37, all of Bangi village via Kotongura, Niger State, with 41 young boys and girls (22 boys and 19 girls) with their age ranging between five and 15 years, while waiting for a lorry that was to convey them to their destination in Ilorin,” he said.

According to the statement, the suspects, while undergoing interrogation, claimed to be coming from Niger State to Ilorin to meet a certain pastor to enroll the children in a yet-to-be-determined school,.

Okasanmi noted that the claim looked spurious and would be discreetly investigated, as it is highly suspected to be a case of child trafficking.

He added that the children are presently in the custody of the police command, while efforts to contact the state ministry of women affairs to investigate and contact the children’s parents and guardians were ongoing.

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