By AMINU GARKO

Police have burst open an inter-state child abduction and trafficking syndicate and arrested nine suspects after months of tracking across seven states.

The investigation was initiated by the Police Command in Kano State following reports of missing children.

Commissioner of Police, Usaini Gumel told newsmen on Thursday in Kano that the syndicate has been operating for over 10 years, and allegedly specialised in inter-states trafficking, abduction, buying and selling of minors.

He said diligent investigation helped to dismantle the syndicate which has members in Kano, Bauchi, Gombe, Lagos, Delta, Anambra and Imo states.

“It was through diligent investigations by our dedicated team of officers that the operation of these criminal networks that have been in existence for more than 10 years were identified,” he added.

Gumel said seven victims, mostly minors, were rescued from the suspects, adding that some of the children were sold for between N300,000 and N600,000.

“It was found during investigations that a victim Mohammed Ilya who was abducted from Bauchi but had his named changed to Chidebere, was sold recently at Nnewi in Anambra,” the commissioner of police said.

Gumel said the command was working with the state government to ensure that all the children were safely reunited with their original families.

He urged residents to be security conscious to avert such criminal acts as the police strive to ensure law and order in the society. (NAN)