January 07, (THEWILL) — The Nigeria Police Force has successfully thwarted an attempted bandit attack and a planned abduction of 76 children in the Kasuwan Magani area of Kaduna State, following timely intelligence and a swift operational response.
According to a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, operatives of the Kaduna State Police Command acted on credible intelligence received on January 5, 2026, indicating that suspected bandits were planning to attack motorists conveying children through the area.
Hundeyin said the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of the Kasuwan Magani Division immediately mobilised a team of police personnel to the location upon receipt of the intelligence.
“On arrival, the police team engaged and successfully repelled the suspected attackers, leading to the rescue of seventy-six (76) children, comprising both males and females, aged between seven (7) and twenty (20) years. All the rescued children were unharmed,” the statement read.
The police spokesman disclosed that three suspects were arrested during the operation. They were identified as Jonathan John, 25; Oliver Magaji, 27; and Bitrus Sawaba, 23.
Preliminary investigations, according to the police, revealed that the suspects were conveying the children to different parts of the country, allegedly for child labour and other forms of domestic work.
The statement further noted that 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.
“Investigations have commenced to ascertain the full circumstances surrounding the incident and to arrest other possible collaborators involved. The suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations,” Hundeyin added.
Reiterating the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to the protection of lives and property, the police urged members of the public to continue to support security agencies with timely and credible information to enhance proactive policing and crime prevention.
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