Kogi State Government has confirmed the arrest of suspects involved in the trafficking of underaged children into the State in what is suspected to be a covert recruitment attempt for banditry training.
Security operatives of the National Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Yagba Area Command in collaboration with other security agencies in Isanlu, acting on credible intelligence from community hunters, intercepted a truck conveying 21 children aged between 6 and 17 years into Kogi State around 3pm on Friday.
Investigations revealed that the children had been moved from different Northern States under suspicious circumstances by adults who could not provide legitimate justification for their movement.
According to a press statement issued by Kingsley Fanwo, the State Commissioner for Information and Communication, in Lokoja on Monday revealed that several suspects linked to the trafficking operation had been arrested, including individuals who claimed they were transporting the children to establish an informal “Islamic school” within Yagba East.
Fanwo equally disclosed that further arrests were made as security operatives intensified surveillance within the area, uncovering additional persons allegedly connected to the movement of the minors. Some of the suspects were also found with items raising significant security concerns.
The rescued children had since been transferred to the State Command of the NSCDC in Lokoja for detailed investigation and proper profiling of all persons involved.
He said “His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, Executive Governor of Kogi State, has directed the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development to take full custody of the underaged victims, ensure their wellbeing, and provide the necessary psychosocial support pending the conclusion of investigations.
“Upon completion of profiling and verification, the children will be handed over to their respective State Governments for further investigation and eventual reintegration with their families. Meanwhile, all individuals found culpable in this trafficking operation will be prosecuted in line with Kogi State’s Child Trafficking and Child Rights Protection Laws”.
