The Kano Emirate Council and the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) have issued a strong condemnation of child kidnapping and trafficking in the South, calling for immediate action to maintain tribal harmony.
In the previous year, the Kano State Police apprehended 11 individuals suspected of kidnapping and selling teenagers from Bauchi and Kano. The victims were reportedly sold for amounts between N400,000 and N500,000 in the south east and Lagos.
In response to the situation, the ACF convened a meeting in Kano. The Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, represented by Seriki Shanu and Alhaji Mohammed Shehu condemned the acts and emphasized the importance of finding a lasting solution.
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The ACF chairman, Dr Goni Faruk Umar, called for an immediate end to the inhumane treatment of children. He called on the Nigerian government, traditional institutions, security agencies, community leaders, the judiciary and the legislature to work together towards a comprehensive solution.
During the meeting, concerns were raised about children being sold by their parents and doctors, with some cases involving backdated birth certificates.
The ACF expressed its commitment to working to collaborate with Igbo leaders and other stakeholders to address the issues, including tackling drug abuse in Sabon Gari.
The representative of the Igbo community, Chief Uwaimo Ifeanyi, condemned the act and called for due punishment for the perpetrators. Other ethnic leaders, including Sarkin Edo of Kano, Fred Akhigbe; leader of Igala community, Abubakar Ibochi; and Yoruba leader in Kano, Yunus Salahuddeen Olanrewaju, distanced themselves from the criminal activities and pledged to guide their communities against such practices.
