At least 59 children from Sumaila Local Government Area in Kano State, who were intercepted by police on suspicion of trafficking, have been returned to the state. Their release followed the intervention of Senator Kawu Sumaila.
The children, aged between four and twelve, were handed over to the Kano State Ministry of Women Affairs, Children and Disabled at an official ceremony.
READ ALSO: Sen. Kawu moves to halt probe into trafficking case of 59 minors
The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Muttaka Iliyasu Yakasai, received them on behalf of the Commissioner, Hajiya Amina Abdullahi HOD.
According to reports, the children were stopped by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command on January 6 while traveling in a 15-seater bus along the Abuja-Kano route. The police suspected child trafficking due to a lack of proper documentation and parental consent.
Speaking during the handover, Faruk Abdu Sumaila, Chairman of Sumaila Local Government, lauded Senator Sumaila for facilitating the children’s safe return. He explained that the children were sent to Abuja for Islamic education but highlighted the dangers of such practices.
“This administration will no longer tolerate the practice of sending young children far away for education. We must prioritise their safety by keeping such pursuits within family care,” Abdu stated.
The Kano State Ministry of Women Affairs assured stakeholders that measures would be put in place to safeguard the welfare of the children.
Senator Sumaila, who represents Kano South Senatorial District, had intervened in the case last week by engaging with the police.
Addressing the issue, he said, “We will resolve it….I am advising our people to stick to the teachings of Holy Prophet Muhammed (SAW) and the Quran in search of knowledge. We have a procedure, we have a process provided by Islam. We must stick to that process. We must avoid traditional ways of doing things.”
Authorities have pledged to review such practices to ensure children’s education and safety are not compromised.
