The police have busted an inter-state child abduction and trafficking syndicate and arrested nine suspects after months of tracking across seven states.

The investigation was initiated by the Kano State Police Command, following reports of missing children.

Kano State Commissioner of Police, Usaini Gumel, told newsmen, yesterday, that the syndicate had been operating for over 10 years, and allegedly specialised in inter-states trafficking, abduction, buying and selling of minors.

He said dogged investigation helped to dismantle the syndicate which has members in Kano, Bauchi, Gombe, Lagos, Delta, Anambra, and Imo states.

“It was through diligent investigations by our dedicated team of officers that the operation of this criminal network that has been in existence for more than 10 years was identified,” he said.

Gumel said seven victims, mostly minors, were rescued from the suspects, adding that some of the children were sold for between N300,000 and N600,000.

“It was found during investigations that a victim, Mohammed Ilya, who was abducted from Bauchi but had his name changed to Chidebere, was sold recently at Nnewi, in Anambra,” Gumel said.

He said the command was working with the state government to ensure that all the children were reunited safely with their original families. He urged residents to be security conscious to avert such criminal acts.