Abuja Traffic Robbers Recruit Minors to Distraction, FCT Police Commissioner Reveals
Traffic robbers in Abuja are allegedly recruiting minors to distract motorists during traffic jams, with the FCT Police Commissioner revealing that some of the children are being paid as little as ₦500 for their role in the crimes.
The minors, mostly Almajiri, are being used as a distraction tool by older members of criminal groups, who approach vehicles pretending to beg or seek assistance while accomplices steal valuables from motorists.
Minors Recruited to Distract Motorists
The FCT Police Commissioner revealed that the minors are being recruited by these bigger ones, who use them to stop vehicles or approach drivers as if they are begging for something, distracting them while accomplices steal from their vehicles. The commissioner alleged that some of the children are paid between ₦500 and ₦1,000 after carrying out the assigned roles.
The minors are often brought into Abuja from other states and abandoned for criminal activities. "Unfortunately, most of these children were brought in from another state and dumped here for just this purpose," the commissioner said.
Cases of Serious Injuries to Victims
The police commissioner also alleged that some of the traffic robbery suspects have caused serious injuries to victims, including an incident where a woman's ear was injured after suspects attempted to remove her earring. "We have gotten some of them that were responsible in removing a woman's ear because they went to remove her earring, they pulled it and the ear caught," he said.
The police have identified several cases where traffic robbery suspects have caused serious injuries to victims. The commissioner said the police are working with social welfare authorities to rehabilitate the children and reunite them with their families.
Children Being Rehabilitated and Reunited with Families
The FCT Police Command has raised concerns over the alleged use of minors by traffic robbery gangs in Abuja. The commissioner said the police are working with social welfare authorities to rehabilitate the children and reunite them with their families. "When you get them, because of their age, you can't take them to court. But we already have a place for them with the social welfare so that they can be rehabilitated and reunited with their families," he said.
The police are also engaging the children to gather information about the adults allegedly directing their activities. "We also talk to them and give them the same 1,000 or 500 Naira to tell us who is sending them to do the job," the commissioner said.
Next Steps for the Police
The police warning comes amid continued concerns over street vulnerability, child exploitation, and rising cases of robbery targeting motorists in parts of Abuja. The FCT Police Command is working with social welfare authorities to rehabilitate the children and reunite them with their families. The police are also engaging the children to gather information about the adults allegedly directing their activities.
Source: Pulse.ng
