Interstate Child Trafficking Syndicate Busted in Abuja

Female Truck Driver and Six Others Arrested in Heinous Child Trafficking Operation

A notorious child trafficking syndicate operating across multiple states in Nigeria has been dismantled by operatives of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) in collaboration with the Department of State Services (DSS).

The syndicate, which specialized in abducting and selling children across Nigeria, was busted in Abuja during an operation that led to the arrest of a female truck driver and six other suspects.

The group was apprehended while attempting to sell a three-year-old girl stolen from Damaturu, Yobe State, for a staggering ₦600,000.

Key Arrests and Criminal Network

The operation led to the arrest of 33-year-old Hasana Jacob, a woman from Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, who worked as a truck driver for a cement company based in Obajana, near Lokoja, Kogi State.

According to NAPTIP’s Chief Press Officer, Vincent Adekoye, Jacob played a key role in the trafficking operation, using her position as a truck driver to steal and transport children across different states without arousing suspicion.

Other suspects arrested in connection with the syndicate include:
🔴 Aisha Suleiman
🔴 Murtala Tanimu
🔴 Shamsu Tanimu
🔴 Adamu Jacob
🔴 Abubakar Ahmed
🔴 Ali Muhammed

Investigations revealed that the syndicate used branded cement trucks to smuggle stolen children across the country, evading security checkpoints while swiftly delivering victims to awaiting buyers.

How the Syndicate Operated

NAPTIP’s preliminary investigation uncovered a well-organized network of traffickers, consisting of:

✔ Recruiters: Individuals stationed across different states, responsible for scouting and luring unsuspecting children into the trap.
✔ Transporters: Led by Hasana Jacob, who used the cement truck to discreetly move stolen children across different parts of Nigeria.
✔ Buyers: Individuals who purchased the children for unknown purposes, often before the victims even arrived at the transaction point.

“Because Hasana is a truck driver for a well-known cement company, she was able to steal children at different truck terminals nationwide, evade security checks, and deliver them to her accomplices without suspicion,” the NAPTIP statement read.

Authorities suspect that the syndicate has members across Nigeria, working in coordination to execute these criminal activities efficiently.

NAPTIP and DSS React to the Arrest

Reacting to the shocking development, NAPTIP Director-General, Binta Bello, condemned the crime as a heinous act against humanity.

She expressed deep dismay over the involvement of a woman, who should understand the pain of motherhood, in orchestrating the heartless abductions.

“It is unimaginable that human beings can form a criminal gang, use a well-branded vehicle from a reputable company, steal children from their families, and sell them to unknown buyers, causing lasting pain for the victims’ families,” Bello stated.

She further praised the DSS for its unwavering collaboration in the operation and called on other security agencies to work together to combat child trafficking in Nigeria.

Cement Truck Impounded as Investigations Continue

Following the arrests, NAPTIP has seized the 22-tyre cement truck used for trafficking. Officials confirmed that the investigation is still ongoing, and further arrests may follow as authorities work to dismantle the entire network.

Meanwhile, efforts are underway to locate other possible victims trafficked by the syndicate, with authorities urging families who have lost children under suspicious circumstances to come forward.

Call for Action Against Child Trafficking

Child trafficking remains a serious problem in Nigeria, with criminal organizations exploiting weak security measures to steal and sell children for illegal purposes.

Human rights activists and security experts have called for stricter border control, enhanced security screening of commercial vehicles, and nationwide awareness campaigns to combat the menace.

Authorities have also urged the public to remain vigilant, particularly in high-risk areas such as motor parks, truck terminals, and marketplaces where children can be easily abducted.

The successful bust of this trafficking ring is a major step in the fight against human trafficking, but stakeholders insist that more must be done to ensure that Nigerian children are protected from such heinous crimes.

Key Takeaways from the Arrest

📌 Child trafficking syndicate dismantled in Abuja
📌 Female truck driver used cement truck to smuggle stolen children
📌 Syndicate attempted to sell a 3-year-old for ₦600,000
📌 7 suspects arrested, cement truck impounded
📌 NAPTIP and DSS vow to continue crackdown on human trafficking
📌 Authorities warn parents to remain vigilant

What’s Next?

Authorities are expected to charge the suspects in court, while efforts continue to uncover additional members of the trafficking network.

Read also: Massive Fire Engulfs Female Hostel at Sokoto State University

Meanwhile, NAPTIP has called on Nigerians to report any suspicious activities related to child trafficking via their emergency helpline.

As the case unfolds, Nigerians are watching closely, hoping that justice is served for the victims and that tougher measures are put in place to prevent future incidents.