In a dramatic turn of events, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed has reunited three children abducted in Bauchi and trafficked to Anambra State with their devastated parents. The emotional reunion, held at the Bauchi Government House on Wednesday, highlighted the Governor’s commitment to eradicating child trafficking in the state.
The children, kidnapped from the Gwalameji area of Bauchi in December, were reportedly taken by a neighbor who rented an apartment in the vicinity before vanishing with the young victims. According to local residents, the suspect fled with the children, leaving behind no trace of her belongings.
Police Intervene Amid Rising Tensions
Following the harrowing incident, the Bauchi and Anambra State Police Commands launched a joint operation to track the perpetrators. Commissioner of Police Auwal Musa revealed that the investigation uncovered an attempt to sell one of the children for ₦2 million. “Our personnel worked tirelessly to locate and rescue these innocent children. While some suspects are in custody, the prime suspect remains at large,” Musa stated.
The recovered children were handed over to Governor Mohammed, who facilitated their reunion with their families. The visibly relieved parents praised the swift intervention by the police and the state government.
A Governor’s Outcry
Governor Mohammed expressed outrage at the increase in child trafficking and abductions. “This is not the first time we are dealing with such a heinous crime. Two years ago, we faced a similar situation where children were stolen and transported to the southern parts of the country,” he lamented.
He emphasized the urgency of prosecuting those responsible and called on the Attorney General and Chief Judge to expedite legal proceedings. “Justice delayed is justice denied,” the Governor stressed.
Poverty and Parental Neglect Blamed
The Governor did not shy away from addressing the root causes of the problem. He attributed the crime to poverty, parental failure, and the infiltration of criminal elements into the state. “Our communities must be more vigilant. Parents must monitor their children closely, and neighborhood watch programs should be strengthened,” he urged.
Governor Mohammed also warned that his administration would take decisive action to rid Bauchi of “criminal elements preying on our children.”
Traffickers’ Shocking Motives
One of the suspects, a woman implicated in the case, admitted to purchasing a child for ₦2 million. She claimed her husband’s decision to marry another wife due to her infertility drove her to engage in the illegal transaction. She further alleged that the intermediary who facilitated the sale claimed to be affiliated with the Anambra State Government and promised to legalize the adoption.
“This is a disturbing revelation of how far people can go to exploit the vulnerability of others,” Governor Mohammed commented after learning of the suspect’s confession.
A Collaborative Victory
The rescue operation was a collaborative effort between the police forces of Bauchi and Anambra States and the Office of the Bauchi State First Lady, Hajiya Aisha Bala Mohammed. Commending the security agencies, the First Lady stated, “This success reflects our collective resolve to fight child trafficking and protect the rights of our children.”
She also thanked Governor Mohammed for his unwavering support of initiatives targeting gender-based violence and child exploitation.
Parents Rejoice
The reunion at the Government House was filled with tears of joy as the children were handed back to their overjoyed parents. “We thought we had lost our children forever. We are grateful to Governor Mohammed and the police for bringing them back to us,” one of the mothers said, clutching her child tightly.
The incident has ignited calls for increased awareness and stricter penalties for child traffickers. “This should serve as a warning to others: Bauchi will not tolerate such crimes,” Governor Mohammed declared.
