The Nasarawa State Police Command said it has arrested 10 suspected members of a syndicate that specialises in stealing and selling children to the highest bidders.
Nasarawa State Commissioner of Police, CP Shehu Nadada, said this while parading the suspects yesterday in Lafia
He said that investigation had revealed that 45 children had been stolen and sold off by the members of the syndicate.
The CP said the suspects had confessed to the theft and selling of so many children at prices ranging from N350,000 to N1.5 million depending on their age and gender.
Nadada further said the suspects usually conspired with social welfare of some ministries where they produce fake documents and sell the children to willing buyers.
He said: “On 10/01/2024 at about 1320hrs, police operatives attached to Keffi Division on routine patrol sighted an ongoing mob action and went in to rescue the victim.
“Upon enquiry, it was discovered that the victim, Ismaila Adamu ‘M’ abducted a 5yrs old boy at Tsohon Kasuwa, Keffi. He was immediately arrested and taken to hospital for treatment while the child was rescued.
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“Furthermore, the investigation was expanded by the Command’s Anti Kidnapping Unit that left to the arrest of the suspects.
“Analysis conducted on the phones of the suspects revealed that 45 children stolen have been sold and illegally adopted by unsuspecting members of the public across the country.”
The CP said six children had so far been rescued in Abuja, Ondo and Lagos states respectively, noting that effort was ongoing to arrest more suspects in the commission of the crime and recover more of the children.
CP Nadada, therefore, enjoined parents and guardians whose children got missing to come to Nasarawa State Police Command for identification.
CP Nadada also said three suspected kidnappers at Gitata were arrested and a kidnap victim was rescued unhurt and reunited with his family while the other accomplice escaped by a whisker.
“21/01/2024 at about 0130hrs, a complaint was lodged at Gitata division that unknown gunmen kidnapped one Bashir Mohammed ‘M’ 15yrs of Buzi Village.
“Upon receipt of the complaint, Police operatives in collaboration with vigilante swiftly launched a manhunt for the perpetrators, consequently the suspects were arrested.