Police dismantle child trafficking syndicate, rescue 8-year-old in Nasarawa

By: Zagazola Makama

The police in Nasarawa State have dismantled a suspected child trafficking syndicate and rescued an eight-year-old boy who was allegedly sold for N3 million.

Sources said that the breakthrough followed information received on Jan. 14 that a missing child, Jeremiah Bikwo, was in protective custody at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) of the Abia State Police Command.

The boy had reportedly told investigators that he was an indigene of Loko in Nasarawa Local Government Area (LGA) of Nasarawa State.

“Further investigations confirmed that the child hails from Ogobo Village in Loko. Detectives then extended their inquiries to Abia State, where it was discovered on Jan. 17 that the victim had been sold for N3 million,” the source said.

According to the source, six suspects were arrested in connection with the crime.

They include Chilaka Calista Nneka, 33; Chigbu Cynthia, 36; Michael Ibeh Chioma, 52; and Victoria Ositadinma, 53 – all from Abia State – as well as Alhassan Bama, 35, of Ogobo Village, Loko LGA, and Jacob Jonah, 38, of Olegefe Village, also in Loko LGA.

Zagazola gathered that all the suspects have confessed to their roles in the trafficking of the child.

“The suspects are currently in custody, while further investigations are ongoing to identify and arrest other members of the syndicate,” the source added.
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Police rescue two abducted victims in Gusau, search for others continues

By: Zagazola Makama

Police in Zamfara State have rescued two victims abducted by suspected bandits during a midnight attack on a residence in Gusau Local Government Area.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred at about 1:20 a.m. on Sunday at Igala Quarters, Damba area of Gusau, when a group of armed men stormed the house of one Nasiru Kurya and fired sporadically before abducting his wife, Surayya Nasiru, 30, and two other persons.

“On receipt of the report, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) mobilised his men to the scene and confirmed the incident. A search operation was immediately launched across the area,” the source said.

He explained that during the combing of the vicinity and adjoining routes, the police rescued two of the abducted victims identified as Nura Sani, 23, and Abdulgafar Hassan Buba, 23, unhurt.

The source added that the rescued victims were taken to the Ahmed Sani Yariman Bakura Specialist Hospital, Gusau, for medical checks and further care.

According to him, efforts are in top gear to rescue the remaining abducted victim from the hands of the bandits and bring the perpetrators to justice.

He urged residents to remain calm and continue to support security agencies with timely and credible information to aid ongoing operations.

Police rescue two abducted victims in Gusau, search for others continues

Abduction of Fulani woman, Aisha Goma heightens fear of attacks in Kaduna community

By: Zagazola Makama

The abduction of a married Fulani woman, Aisha Goma, in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State has sparked fresh fear and anxiety among residents of the area.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the victim was abducted from her home at about 11:00 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 17, while her husband was away.

According to the sources, the attackers, suspected to be armed bandits, besieged the residence and forcefully took the woman to an unknown location.

The sources said that the assailants are believed to be former members of the Kamilu group, who have been operating around the axis in the past,” a source said.

The sources added that as of the time of filing this report, no contact had been made by the abductors and no ransom demand had been communicated to the family.

Zagazola reports that the incident has heightened tension in the area, with many residents expressing fear over a surge in abductions targeting members of the Fulani community in recent weeks.

“For more than a week now, people have been living in fear. Families are moving out in large numbers, especially those living around the Olam Company axis,” another community source said.

According to him, some residents have relocated to safer parts of Soba Local Government Area, while others have fled to villages in neighbouring Kwara State to escape the growing insecurity.

Abduction of Fulani woman, Aisha Goma heightens fear of attacks in Kaduna community