Plateau State Police Command has arrested 13 suspected internet fraudsters and two others for child trafficking.
The State Commissioner of Police, Emmanuel Olugbemiga Adesina, who disclosed this while briefing newsmen in Jos, said men of the Command swung into action following a report that two suspects identified as Anthony and Daniel of Agingin of Rukuba area of Jos North local government area of the state who were internet fraudsters were holding some boys captive for nefarious reasons.
According to him, they conspired among themselves to traffic the young boys who have just graduated from secondary school to a secluded residence, lock them up, seize their phones, and tutor them on how to masterfully defraud people via romance scams and other cyber-related frauds.
The Commissioner disclosed that the boys were forced to go onto the internet and continue to defraud innocent would-be victims, and in the event that they refused to cooperate, the ringleader beat them mercilessly with horsewhip.
“Upon receipt of this information, the Divisional Police Officer Rantya division, under my strict directive, immediately mobilised men and swung into action and raided the hideout where eleven (11) suspects were arrested, including the two (2) principal suspects.”
He added that the command has commenced a full investigation into the matter, while efforts are being intensified with a view to arresting the fleeing suspects and ensuring that they face the full weight of the law.
Also, the command has rescued four children allegedly kidnapped for trafficking, while two of the masterminds were arrested in connection with the incident.
He said, “There was a report at “A” division police station that four children were missing when their parents were not around. When the parents of the children returned from work, they were informed by their neighbour’s daughter that they were seen with one Comfort, a female who usually comes to visit her friend, and one Adamu Bawa in the compound to buy her biscuits.
“Upon receipt of the report, our men immediately swung into action, which led to the rescue of the four (4) children and two (2) suspects. The case is currently under investigation and will be charged to court upon conclusion.”
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