Operatives of the Nigeria Police INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB) Abuja have arrested two Kano-based suspects, Ibrahim Aminu and Mohammad Umar, on child pornography charges, Igbere TV reports.

According to a statement by the Force on Sunday posted to Twitter, investigations reveal that the suspects are members of a trans-border/international child porn syndicate which sexually abuse and take undue advantage of underage girls and disseminate the video recordings of the illicit sexual act on an international social media WhatsApp group chat known as ‘Pervertidos’ owned and managed by a Brazilian called Adriana. Their arrest followed intelligence received from the INTERPOL NCB, Brazil.

Exhibits recovered from the suspects include three mobile phones and a laptop. Forensic investigations and analysis carried out by the police team on the gadgets revealed the series of pornographic and erotic videos with underage girls which the suspects shared on the internet for a fee denominated in US dollars.

Meanwhile, the Inspector General of Police Mohammed Adamu noted that a total of 2,792 suspects were arrested by the police for sexual and gender-based violence and other sexual related offences in the year 2020.

The arrests are linked to the 2,573 cases currently being prosecuted under the Force Gender Unit in various courts across the country. Others are still under active investigations.

The IGP enjoined parents and guardians to keep a close watch on their children and wards and report any incidents of abuse against women and children.

He expressed displeasure with the prevailing culture of silence in concealing crimes against women and children and called for improved collaboration with the police, assuring that the Force is well repositioned to protect women and children and confront violent crimes in the country.

Similarly, the police arrested five members of a kidnap gang which specialises in the abduction of women and the girl child, sexually abusing them and obtaining ransom from their families before their release.

The suspects are Osinachi Ngwakwe, 22; Sammy Inordee, 27; Epo-Bari Nwolu, 26; Yabari Gbarale, 29; and Barine Yilda, 30.

The police said effort is being intensified to arrest other fleeing gang members and recover more weapons and stolen vehicles used by the suspects for their operations.

All the suspects will be arraigned in court on completion of investigations, the statement added.