From John Silas, Lagos
Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force have rescued four kidnapped children and reunited them with their parents following a swift intervention at the Alafia Bus Terminal in the Coker-Orile area of Lagos.
The rescue, which took place on May 8, 2026, was carried out by a patrol team acting on routine surveillance around the terminal at about 11:40 p.m.
According to a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Adebisi, the officers became suspicious after spotting the children in the company of an unidentified woman who was attempting to board a luxury bus heading out of Lagos State.
The suspect reportedly abandoned the children and fled upon noticing the presence of the police, escaping to an unknown destination.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the children had earlier been abducted from the Ijesha-Tedo area and were being moved out of the state under the cover of darkness before the timely intervention of the police.
The children were immediately taken into protective custody, while efforts were initiated to trace their families. They have since been safely reunited with their parents.
Police authorities said investigations are ongoing to track down the fleeing suspect and uncover other individuals connected to the crime.
The Commissioner of Police, Tijani Fatai, commended the vigilance and professionalism of the officers involved in the operation, reaffirming the command’s commitment to protecting lives, especially vulnerable persons.
He also urged parents and guardians to remain alert and monitor the safety of their children, while encouraging residents to promptly report suspicious activities to security agencies for immediate action.
