FIDA Kano Raises Alarm Over Alleged Child Exploitation

The Kano State branch of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) has raised an urgent alarm over alleged child exploitation involving a man identified as Mr. Nagwale, said to be operating around Zoo Road near Massallacin Murtala in Kano.

In a statement issued by the organisation, FIDA condemned what it described as “gross child exploitation.”

According to the statement, “He has been captured in video evidence using children to hawk aphrodisiac products, thereby exposing them to exploitative, inappropriate, and harmful conditions.” The group warned that such actions pose a serious threat to the dignity, safety, and welfare of the affected children.

FIDA further noted that the alleged conduct violates key provisions of the Child Protection Law, including Section 21, which prohibits child labour exploitation; Section 22, which outlaws child hawking; and Sections 23 and 24, which address the prohibition of sexual exploitation and exposure of children to indecent environments.

Describing the act as “unlawful and abusive,” the organisation called for the immediate investigation and arrest of the suspect, as well as swift prosecution if the allegations are confirmed.

The group also urged the Kano State Police Command and the Ministry of Women Affairs, Children and Persons with Special Needs to intervene without delay to address the situation.

“The protection of children is a primary responsibility of the State, and all relevant authorities are duty-bound to ensure that no child is subjected to exploitation, abuse, or harmful labour,” the statement added.

Copies of the complaint were also sent to key authorities, including the Commissioner for Women Affairs, the Commissioner of Police, the Director of Public Prosecutions at the Kano State Ministry of Justice, and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), North-West Zonal Command.