The Nigeria Police Force has thwarted an attempted attack and planned kidnapping of children in the Kasuwan Magani area of Kaduna State, rescuing 76 minors and arresting three suspects.
The operation, carried out on Monday, January 5, 2026, followed intelligence reports indicating that suspected criminals were mobilising to attack motorists and abduct children being transported through the area.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, said the Kaduna State Police Command received the information at about 8:00 p.m. and immediately acted on it.
“Upon receipt of credible intelligence that suspected criminals were planning to attack and kidnap motorists conveying children through Kasuwan Magani, the Divisional Police Officer of Kasuwan Magani Division was promptly mobilised alongside a team of officers to the location,” Hundeyin said.
According to him, the police team arrived at the scene and engaged the suspects, successfully disrupting the planned attack and preventing the abduction.
“As a result of the operation, seventy-six children, both male and female, aged between seven and twenty years, were rescued unharmed,” he added.
Hundeyin disclosed that three suspects were arrested during the operation and identified as Jonathan John, 25; Oliver Magaji, 27; and Bitrus Sawaba, 23.
He said preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects were allegedly transporting the children to different parts of the country for child labour and other domestic-related activities.
“The rescued children are currently being kept safely at the Command Headquarters, pending the arrival and proper identification of their parents or guardians,” the police spokesman said.
He added that the suspects are presently in police custody and that investigations have commenced to unravel the full circumstances surrounding the incident and identify other possible collaborators.
“The suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations,” Hundeyin stated.
The Nigeria Police Force reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property, while urging members of the public to continue to provide timely and credible information to aid proactive policing across the country.
