The Nasarawa State Police Command, Friday, announced that it had foiled an attempt to abduct three kids, all siblings, in the Mararaba area of Karu Local Government Area of the state, by a human trafficking syndicate.
One suspect was also arrested during the operation, the Public Relations Officer, Ramhan Nansel, a Superintendent of Police, disclosed this in a press statement he issued on Friday in Lafia, the state capital.
Nansel revealed that a 22-year-old female suspect, Aisha Hashiru, was apprehended by members of the public at the popular Orange Market in Mararaba, while attempting to abduct the three minors.
The police moved in quickly to rescue the kids and prevented the suspect from being lynched by the angry mob that apprehended her.
Nansel said: “She was about to be lynched when the Divisional Police Officer of Mararaba ‘A’ Division, acting promptly on the report, mobilised his patrol team to the scene, rescued both the suspect and the children, and moved them to the station for safety.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect had sneaked into the residence of Ramatu Auwal (female) of Orange Market earlier that day at about 1700hrs and abducted her three children: Fatima Auwal, female, four years; Shafiyi Auwal, male, five years and Amina Auwal, male, six years.
“Nemesis, however, caught up with her when she was intercepted by vigilant members of the public. Upon interrogation, the suspect confessed to luring the children under the pretext of buying them biscuits.”
The police spokesman further explained that the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Shetima Mohammed, had directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, Lafia, for thorough investigation.
Nansel continued in the statement: “He (Commissioner) charged officers of the command to intensify efforts in unraveling other reported cases of missing children, and to strengthen the command’s fight against human trafficking across the state.
“The command appreciates the vigilance of residents and assures the public of its unwavering commitment to protecting lives and ensuring the safety of children across Nasarawa State.”
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Police Force has intensified anti-human trafficking operations nationwide through its State Criminal Investigation Departments and partnerships with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons.
Friday’s arrest in Mararaba underscores the importance of community vigilance in tackling the menace, as members of the public played a critical role in apprehending the suspect before police intervention.
