Authorities from the Federal Capital Territory Police Command, specifically the Rapid Response Squad 74, have apprehended a pastor identified as Simon Kado, his relative Jesse Simon-Kado, and their driver, Muhammad Isah, on charges of child trafficking.
The arrests occurred on Friday when the trio was intercepted while transporting 12 underage children—comprising eight girls and four boys aged between five to 16 years—from Nasarawa State to Ogun State. This revelation was made public by the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, in a statement released on Saturday.
According to Adeh, the FCT Police operatives halted a Toyota Hiace bus with registration number APP 489 XE, driven by Muhammad Isah from Kafanchan, Kaduna State, at approximately 12:55 am. Upon inspection, they discovered the presence of the underage children, all hailing from Akwanga LGA, Nasarawa State, being trafficked to Ogun State under the direction of Pastor Simon Kado and Jesse Simon-Kado, who are now in police custody.
Preliminary investigations have commenced, with efforts underway, in collaboration with the Nasarawa State Police Command, to reunite the victims with their respective families. Commissioner of Police FCT, Benneth Igweh, reiterated his commitment to prioritizing the safety of residents amid ongoing security challenges.
The Federal Capital Territory has witnessed a surge in kidnapping and banditry incidents. In January 2024, operatives of the Special Intervention Squad within the FCT Police Command neutralized three notorious bandits in a forest within the Bwari area of Abuja. Similarly, a notorious kidnap kingpin known as Janari, responsible for multiple abductions in Kaduna State and Abuja, along with his associates, met their demise during operations conducted by the air component of Operation Whirl Punch in Kaduna state.