The Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, strongly denounced the disturbing practice of kidnapping and trafficking northern children to the southern parts of the country. Addressing the media in Kano yesterday, the first-class traditional ruler, represented by Dan Malikin Kano, Amb Ahmad Umar, declared that the emirate would no longer tolerate the abduction and sale of children within the state,Daily Trust report.
Expressing deep concern, he emphasized the urgency of taking proactive measures to put an end to this alarming trend. The Emir stated that the situation had escalated beyond acceptable limits, requiring immediate and decisive action.
“This reprehensible trend must cease. We must unite against it. We will not tolerate a scenario where our children are kidnapped, sold, and their ethnicity and religion altered. This illicit practice must be halted. We must collectively address this escalating situation before it spirals out of control. It occurred a few years ago, and now it has resurfaced. Only God knows how many of our children have been abducted and sold,” he asserted.
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On December 27, 2023, the Kano State police command announced the dismantling of a human trafficking syndicate specializing in the abduction, purchase, and sale of minors. The syndicate operated across Kano, Bauchi, Lagos, Delta, Anambra, and Imo states, with nine suspects arrested. Seven children, mostly from Bauchi State, were rescued.
The leader of the Igbo community in Kano, Boniface Igbekwe, also condemned the reprehensible act, urging authorities to hold the perpetrators accountable. Represented by the prime minister of the Igbo community, Chief Nwaimo Efanyi, Igbekwe expressed shock and disbelief at the news of the kidnapped children rescued by the police.
He emphasized that the entire Igbo community in Kano distanced itself from the suspects and any heinous acts committed in their name. Igbekwe underscored the commitment of the Igbo community to peaceful coexistence with others.
