Police smash child trafficking syndicate in Lagos

Police in Lagos had smashed a syndicate that specialise in trafficking physically challenged children from the northern part of Nigeria to Lagos State for begging.

The Commissioner of Police in Lagos, Edgal Imohimi, who disclosed the arrest on Wednesday during weekly press briefing, said that six suspects were arrested while five minors were rescued.

“Based on credible intelligence from public spirited individuals that a syndicate that specialise in the trafficking of physically challenged children from the northern part of the country to Lagos State are using children to solicit for alms from unsuspecting members of the public.

“The Decoy Team of RRS positioned a mobile CCTV camera around Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way, Ikeja and monitored the activities of the syndicate for about a week.

“It was observed that the syndicate convey the children to Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way, Ikeja, very early in the morning. Thereafter, the children were made to crawl from one point to another along the highway begging for alms.

“At noon, a lady brings food for the children. It was also observed that apart from the guides who monitor and collect the proceeds from the children, another man who serves as their leader comes around to collect from the guides.

“In view of the intelligence gathered, the unscrupulous suspects were arrested.

“Meanwhile, five destitute were rescued from the syndicate and the sum of N12,760 was recovered from them,” he said.

The CP said that the suspects would be charged to court as soon as investigation was concluded while the rescued minors would be rehabilitated by Gender Section of the command.