Abuja Police Detain Pastor and Accomplices in Alleged Child-Trafficking Bust

A pastor identified as Simon Kado, his relative Jesse Simon-Kado, and their driver Muhammad Isah have all been placed under arrest by operatives of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command, in collaboration with Rapid Response Squad 74, on suspicion of child trafficking.

Twelve minors, eight girls and four boys, between the ages of five and sixteen, were being trafficked by the suspects from Nasarawa State to Ogun State before they were apprehended on Friday.

SP Josephine Adeh, the Public Relations Officer for the FCT Police, disclosed the incident in a statement on Saturday.

Adeh said: “Operatives of the FCT Police Command attached to the Rapid Response Squad 74, on Friday, February 9, at about 12:55 am, intercepted one Muhammad Isah, male, of Kafanchan, Kaduna State in a Toyota Hiace bus with Reg No APP 489 XE, conveying twelve; four male and eight female; underaged children to a destination later discovered to be in Ogun state.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the children whose ages are between five years to 16 years, all from Akwanga LGA, Nasarawa State were being trafficked to Ogun state by one Pastor Simon Kado, male, and Jesse Simon-Kado, male, who are now presently in police custody.

“While the investigation is still ongoing and efforts in conduit with Nasarawa State Police Command on how to reunite victims with their respective families, the Commissioner of Police FCT, Benneth Igweh, wishes to reiterate that the safety of residents remains his utmost priority.” [CONTINUE READING HERE]