Police foil attack, rescue 76 children in Kaduna

The Nigeria Police Force has foiled an attempted attack and planned kidnapping of children in Kasuwan Magani, Kaduna State, rescuing 76 boys and girls without injury.

According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, the Kaduna State Police Command acted on credible intelligence received on January 5, 2026, indicating that suspected bandits were planning to attack motorists conveying children through the area.

Hundeyin said the Divisional Police Officer of Kasuwan Magani promptly mobilised a team of officers to the location, where they engaged and successfully repelled the attackers.

“The operation led to the rescue of seventy-six (76) children, both male and female, aged between seven and twenty years. All the rescued children were unharmed,” the statement said.

During the operation, three suspects identified as Jonathan John (25), Oliver Magaji (27), and Bitrus Sawaba (23) were arrested.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects were allegedly 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.

The command added that investigations are ongoing to uncover the full circumstances surrounding the incident and identify other possible collaborators, noting that the suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.

The Nigeria Police Force reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property and urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to support proactive policing.