Nigerian Senator Moves To Halt Investigation Into Suspected Child Trafficking Case Involving 59 Minors
The investigation into the interception of 59 minors suspected of being trafficked from Kano to Nasarawa State has taken an unexpected turn as Senator Sumaila Kawu, representing Kano South Senatorial District, intervened to halt the probe.
The minors, aged between four and 12, were intercepted on January 6 by police operatives along the Abuja-Kano route. They were being transported in a cramped 15-seater Peugeot J5 bus with registration number KMC 283 ZJ by a driver, Idris Usman, and his assistant, Al Hassan Ibrahim. The children were reportedly en route to a male resident in Nasarawa State under unclear circumstances.
FCT Commissioner of Police, CP Olatunji Disu, had earlier described the incident as a suspected case of child abuse and trafficking due to the lack of parental consent and proper documentation.
However, the investigation was disrupted when Senator Kawu appeared at the FCT Police Command, requesting custody of the minors. The lawmaker argued that the movement was part of the almajiri system, a cultural practice where children migrate to other regions for Islamic education. Kawu promised to return the children to their families in Kano and criticized the police for mischaracterizing the situation.
“The almajiri system is a legitimate educational tradition within Islam. While it requires regulation, we must avoid misinterpreting such practices as trafficking,” Kawu said
The FCT Police command has not revealed whether they will adhere to the senators request and release the children to his custody or not.
