The Kaduna State government has rescued thirteen children sold to child traffickers outside Kaduna State.
The Commissioner, Ministry of Human Services and Social Development, Kaduna, Hajiya Rabi Salisu, disclosed while speaking to newsmen over the weekend in Kaduna that the stolen children were first of all taken to Abuja, and from there to Enugu by a syndicate group, some of whom are still on the run.
According to her, “One of the abducted children was stolen when the child was seven days old, and now, that same child is seven years old. The children cannot identify their locations, but the authorities will do everything humanly possible to ensure that all the children are reunited with their family members.”
She, however, lamented, “All of them have changed their names from Hausa to other names. Those brought to Kaduna are under the government’s special intervention and emergency support under the Ministry’s facility to provide psychosocial counselling and support, nutritional food, medical care, and rehabilitation.
“Upon review of the situation in one of the scenarios after the arrest made, on 24th March 2025, the ministry received 11 children from the office of the State Commissioner of Police from Abuja.”
The Commissioner said five members of the kidnapping gang disclosed that the gang leader operates an orphanage in Abuja, and under this guise, they conduct their nefarious activities.
“She uses her orphanage as temporary shelter for the stolen children and negotiates for their sale to prospective buyers in the eastern part of the country; this evil act is so alarming that all the children found and brought back have lost their identity so much that they can’t remember their original homes.
“Seven of the children were received on 9th April 2025 from the State CP’s office, the remaining children from Abuja and six others brought back from Birnin – Kebbi, who were abducted and sold to a woman nicknamed Maman Salamatu, in Calabar( real name concealed), as the case is still under investigation in Kebbi.”
She called on parents who lost their children and are searching for them to come forward with concrete evidence, proof of birth, and other relevant information to be reunited with their children.
She advised parents to be vigilant, imbibe the culture of good parenting, and nurture their children with good moral upbringing to protect them against all forms of abuse, violence and exploitation.
Ali Adamu, whose daughter, Maryam, was abducted two months ago, on 13th February 2025, in Kogi state, thanked the ministry and all other government agencies for reuniting him with his daughter.
He then called on parents to be watchful over their children so that they do not go through the trauma of losing a child.
