The Police in Kwara State, on Saturday, intercepted and rescued no less than 41 children aged five to 15 along the Okolowo Expressway while waiting for a lorry to convey them to their destination in Ilorin
The Police named the suspects 44-year-old Musa Ayuba, 35-year-old Jeremiah Muda, and 37-year-old Luka Ayuba, all of Bangi village via Kotongura, Niger State.
Although the suspects claimed to be on their way to meet a pastor in Ilorin who would enrol the children in a school, the Police believe that the case is related to child trafficking and would be investigated discreetly.
The State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Okansanmi Ajayi, said: “On January 14, 2023, at 04:00 am, 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 range between five and fifteen years while waiting for a lorry that was to convey them to their destination in Ilorin.
“The suspects, while undergoing interrogation, claimed to be coming from Niger State to Ilorin to meet a certain pastor to enrol the children in a yet-to-be-determined school. The claim that looked spurious would be discreetly investigated, as it is highly suspected to be a case of child trafficking,” he said.
The children are presently in the custody of the Police Command, while efforts to contact the State Ministry of Women’s Affairs, their parents, and guardians are ongoing.
Meanwhile, the State Commissioner of Police, CP Paul Odama, has advised parents and guardians to avoid releasing their children to unknown or deceitful child traffickers, as the children might be used as house helps and other despicable endeavours, which is against the child rights laws.
