The police have foiled an attempted attack and planned kidnapping of children in the Kasuwan Magani area of Kaduna State, arresting three suspects, and rescuing 76 minors.
The police said the incident occurred on January 5, 2026, at about 8.00 pm, following credible intelligence that suspected bandits were planning to attack motorists conveying children through the area.
The police said the divisional police officer of Kasuwan Magani Division was immediately mobilised with a team of officers to the location to prevent the attack.
“On arrival at the scene, the police team engaged the suspects and successfully repelled them, leading to the rescue of 76 children, comprising both males and females, aged between seven and 20 years,” the police said.
The police, in a statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, on Wednesday, said all the children were rescued unharmed.
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He noted that in the course of the operation, three suspects were arrested, identifying them as Jonathan John, Oliver Magaji, and Bitrus Sawaba.
Hundeyin revealed further that preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects were transporting the children to different parts of the country for child labour and other domestic work.
The police said the suspects are currently in custody, while the rescued children are being kept safely at the command headquarters pending the identification and arrival of their parents or guardians.
Investigations have also commenced to uncover the full circumstances surrounding the incident and to arrest other possible collaborators involved in the crime.
The suspects will be charged in court at the conclusion of the investigation, the police said.
