The investigation into the interception of 59 minors en route from Kano to Nasarawa State has taken an unexpected turn after Senator Sumaila Kawu, representing Kano South Senatorial District, intervened to halt the probe.
The children, aged between four and twelve, were intercepted on January 6, 2025, by police operatives along the Abuja-Kano route in a white Peugeot J5 vehicle. The driver, Idris Usman, claimed to be transporting the children for Islamic education under the almajiri system. However, the lack of parental consent and proper documentation led the police to classify the incident as suspected child trafficking and abuse.
FCT Commissioner of Police Olatunji Disu had earlier vowed to ensure the children were reunited with their families and to prosecute those involved. The children were reportedly being transported to a male resident in Nasarawa State, with Usman allegedly working alongside his motor boy, Al Hassan Ibrahim.
During a police briefing, Senator Kawu defended the transportation as part of the almajiri tradition, although he criticized the mode of travel. He called for the children to be handed over to him, promising to reunite them with their parents. Kawu also emphasized adherence to proper Islamic procedures in seeking knowledge.
The senator’s intervention has seemingly influenced the police’s approach, raising concerns about the future of the investigation. Commissioner Disu had initially highlighted the police’s commitment to protecting vulnerable groups under the Child Rights Act 2003, but the senator’s actions have introduced uncertainty into the case’s trajectory. Despite assurances of a thorough investigation, the incident underscores broader concerns about child welfare and the regulation of traditional educational systems in Nigeria.
