The Lagos State Police Command said it has successfully apprehended a suspected kingpin of a child trafficking and labour syndicate after three months of intelligence gathering.
The police said the arrest comes as a significant breakthrough in combating the illegal activities of the syndicate, which reportedly brings underaged children from the northern part of Nigeria to Lagos State for child labour and other illicit purposes. SP Benjamin Hundeyin, the spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, confirmed the arrest and subsequent rescue of underaged children.
He said, “In the process, three underaged children, two females and one male, whose names could not be ascertained- between ages 7 and 12 of no fixed address, were rescued from her. During interrogation, the suspect confessed to the crime. Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect had illegally brought 42 children to Lagos State for child labour without the consent of their parents.
“It was also revealed that the suspect had been declared wanted by the Kwara State Police Command in connection with many underaged children that have disappeared, which have been linked to her syndicate,” he said.
He said efforts to rescue the remaining eight children are ongoing, with collaboration between the Lagos and Kwara State Police Commands. He added that the current custodians of the recovered children have been contacted, and coordination efforts are underway to ensure the safety and well-being of the rescued minors.
