Police Rescue 76 Children, Arrest Three in Kaduna

By Oluwakemi Kindness 

The Nigeria Police Force has foiled an attempted attack and planned kidnapping of 76 children in the Kasuwan Magani area of Kaduna State.

The Police on Wednesday said the incident occurred on January 5, 2026, at about 8:00 p.m., following credible intelligence received by the Kaduna State Police Command indicating that suspected bandits were planning to attack and kidnap motorists conveying children through the area.

The Police in a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, says upon receipt of the intelligence, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Kasuwan Magani Division promptly mobilised a team of police personnel to the location.

He said on arrival, the police team engaged and successfully repelled the suspected attackers, leading to the rescue of seventy-six (76) children, comprising males and females aged between seven (7) and twenty (20) years. All the rescued children were unharmed.

During the operation, three suspects were arrested, including Jonathan John, 25; Oliver Magaji, 27; and Bitrus Sawaba, 23.

The Police said Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects were conveying the children to various parts of the country for the purpose of child labour and other domestic work.

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 determine the full circumstances surrounding the incident and to identify and arrest other possible collaborators.

The Police noted that thesuspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.

The Nigeria Police Force reaffirmed its commitment to the protection of lives and property and urged members of the public to continue to support the Police with timely and credible information to enhance proactive policing.