Bauchi governor reunites three abducted kids from Bauchi, sold in Anambra with parents
Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, has reunited three kids who were kidnapped in Bauchi metropolis by an unknown person and taken to Anambra, with their parents.
It had been reported that a woman allegedly trafficked her neighbours’ children around the Gwalameji area of Bauchi last December.
The suspect was said to have rented an apartment in the area before the kids were reported missing.
The residents said that the suspected woman left with the children without leaving any of her belongings behind.
Meanwhile, the Bauchi and Anambra State Police Commands had earlier launched manhunts for the perpetrators and declared some suspects wanted after the preliminary findings revealed that one of the kids was sold for N2 million.
The Commissioner of Police in Bauchi, Auwal Musa, said that his personnel were able to rescue the kids and arest some people who were involved in the trafficking while the prime suspect was still on the run. He handed the kids to the government to be reunited with their families.
Governor Mohammed lamented the increase in abductions of children, particularly for sale, and recounted a similar incident about two years ago where kids were stolen and taken to the southern part of the country.
He called for the immediate prosecution of the suspects while challenging both the Attorney General and the Chief Judge to conclude the matter and ensure justice is served as a deterrent to criminal minded persons.
He blamed the incident on poverty, parental failure, and the infiltration of criminals from outside the state. He however, commended the police for retrieving the kids alive.
One of the suspects, a woman, claimed to have purchased one of the kids for N2m through another suspect who claimed to be working with the government of Anambra and promised to formalise the process.
She said that her husband decided to marry another wife due to her failure to give birth, which prompted her to engage in the deal.