The Nigeria Police announced on Wednesday, January 7, that it had successfully rescued 76 children in a foiled kidnapping attempt in the Kasuwan Magani area of Kaduna State.
In a statement, Force Public Relations Officer Benjamin Hundeyin said the operation was conducted by operatives of the Kaduna State Police Command on January 5, 2026.
According to Hundeyin, at about 2000 hours, the Kaduna Command received credible intelligence that suspected bandits were planning to target and kidnap motorists transporting children through the area.
He added that the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, of Kasuwan Magani Division was promptly deployed with a team of officers to the location following the intelligence report.
Hundeyin noted that the operatives “engaged and successfully repelled the suspected kidnappers, leading to the rescue of 76 children, comprising both males and females, aged between seven (7) and 20 years”.
“All the rescued children were unharmed. In the course of the operation, three suspects were arrested: Jonathan John ‘m’ aged 25, Oliver Magaji ‘m’ aged 27, and Bitrus Sawaba ‘m’ aged 23,” he said.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects were conveying the children to some parts of the country for the purpose of child labour and other domestic work.
“The suspects are currently in police custody, while the rescued children are being kept safely at the Command Headquarters pending the arrival and proper identification of their parents or guardians.”
The FPRO further stated that the police are investigating to determine the full circumstances of the incident and to identify other possible collaborators.
He emphasized that “the arrested suspects will be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations,” and reiterated that the Nigeria Police Force remains committed to the protection of lives and property.
Hundeyin also urged the public to “continue to support the Police with timely and credible information to aid proactive policing”.
