Child Trafficking Ring Busted: Pastor, Accomplice Apprehended, 12 Children Rescued in Abuja

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has successfully apprehended Pastor Simon Kado and Jesse Simon Kado on charges of trafficking 12 children to Ogun State. The arrest follows a swift operation carried out by the Rapid Response Squad 74 (RRS 74) attached to the FCT Police Command.

According to a statement released by the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, the suspects were intercepted on Friday. The police, acting on a tip-off, halted a Toyota Hiace bus with registration number APP 489 XE, driven by Muhammad Isah of Kafanchan, Kaduna. The vehicle was found to be transporting four male and eight female underage children to Ogun State.

Preliminary investigations have unveiled that the children, aged between 5 and 16 years, hail from Akwanga Local Government Area of Nasarawa State. The alleged traffickers, Pastor Simon Kado and an accomplice, are currently in police custody.

The FCT Commissioner of Police, CP Benneth C. Igweh, emphasized the priority placed on the safety of residents. While the investigation is ongoing, collaborative efforts with the Nasarawa State Police Command are underway to reunite the victims with their respective families.