The Sokoto State Police Command revealed that Abubakar had sold 28 children, including six of his biological sons, to Elizabeth Oja and Kulu Dogonyaro, residents of Abuja, for sums ranging from N150,000 to N250,000. Abubakar, a resident of the Tudun Wada area in Sokoto LGA, was operating an organization that sought support for orphans. This led many widows to entrust their orphaned children to his care.

A resident of Tudun Wada, speaking anonymously to Daily Trust, expressed their shock at Abubakar's arrest. "I know Bala has an organization that caters to orphans. He used to seek support from politicians and wealthy individuals for these children. Many widows went to him for help with their children. Nobody knew he was involved in this unfortunate business of trafficking until the police paraded him with other suspects. We pray that the police investigate further to rescue all the victims."

The chain of events leading to Abubakar's arrest began on April 27, 2024, around 8 PM, when the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command arrested Mrs. Dogonyaro and Oja. They were travelling with five children, including a two-week-old baby. The suspicion arose when other passengers noticed the infant being fed powdered milk instead of breastfeeding. Upon reaching Abuja, the commercial vehicle's driver went straight to the nearest police station to report the suspicious behaviour of the duo.

At the police station, the suspects claimed the children were willingly given to them by their parents in Sokoto to be handed over to a non-governmental organisation in Abuja for their care and education. Further investigation revealed that Mrs. Dogonyaro had lived in Sokoto for over 20 years. The mothers of the rescued children, all widows, were deceived into believing their children would receive proper care and schooling. Some children were even abducted on their way to Islamic school.