Police arrest 3 kidnappers, rescue 76 children in Kaduna

Police operatives have arrested three suspects and rescued 76 victims following an attempted attack and planned kidnap of children in Kaduna State.

The Nigeria Police Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday, January 7, 2026.

Hundeyin said the arrest and rescue of the victims in Kasuwan Magani area of Kaduna State on January 5 followed credible intelligence.

Hundeyin said the Kaduna State Police Command had received credible intelligence that some suspected bandits were planning to attack and kidnap motorists conveying children through the area.

He noted that upon receipt of the intelligence, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Kasuwan Magani Division was promptly mobilised with a team of police personnel to the area.

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Hundeyin said: “On arrival, the police team engaged and successfully repelled the suspected attackers, leading to the rescue of 76 children, comprising both males and females, aged between seven and 20 years.

“All the rescued children were unharmed.”

The NPF spokesperson said preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects were conveying the children to some parts of the country for child labour and other domestic work.

Hundeyin said the suspects are currently in police custody, adding that the rescued children are also kept safely at the Command Headquarters in Kaduna, pending the arrival and proper identification of their parents or guardians.

He said the suspects would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.

The Star