Police Hit Traffickers’ Den Following Kano’s Missing Kids Saga
For almost eight years, the parents of missing children in Kano State have been living with the pain and hope of being reunited with their loved ones. The issue of missing children in the state has been a topic of concern, especially in areas like Wurobagga, Walalanbe, Haye, Tinshama, and Hotoro North. These communities have been plagued by incidents of missing children, with over 40 children under the age of three reported missing within a three-month period.
In response to the alarming situation, parents of missing children formed an association called Protection against the Abduction, Missing of Our Children (PATAMOOC). The association aimed to put an end to the child trafficking menace and dismantle the syndicated gangs behind it.
Malam Mansur Isa, the Vice Chairman of PATAMOOC, shared his experience as a father searching for his missing son since 2016. He revealed that the association has documented over 300 missing children from 2016 to date. While some children have been recovered with the help of the state government, the extent of the child trafficking syndicate became apparent, making the fight even more challenging.
The association embarked on an extensive search for their children, reaching out to various states for assistance. They even developed an album and comprehensive list of affected parents to raise awareness about the missing children. Despite their efforts, the trauma of not knowing where their children are continues to haunt them.
Malam Mansur’s sentiments were echoed by Malama Rabiatu Abdullahi Hotoro Ramin Kwalabe, a mother whose two children were abducted. Although one of her children was recovered in Anambra State after being sold to a family, the other child remains missing. She expressed her belief that her children are still alive, held captive by unknown individuals.
In the midst of PATAMOOC’s struggle, a breakthrough occurred when a woman suspected of involvement in the missing children saga was arrested in the area. The arrest led to a significant decrease in child abduction cases. Additionally, six abducted children were recovered in 2019 and reunited with their parents.
To address the issue comprehensively, the Kano State Government established a committee of inquiry led by Justice Wada Abubakar Rano. The committee’s findings were submitted in February 2020, and a subsequent committee was inaugurated in July 2020 to implement the recommendations.
Collaborating with the police, PATAMOOC recently made progress in locating abducted children. Eighteen were found in Anambra State, and seven more were discovered in Bauchi State, leading to the arrest of nine suspects. The Kano State Police Command confirmed that six of the seven recovered children had been reunited with their parents.
The fight against child trafficking and the search for missing children in Kano continues as parents hold onto hope and advocate for the safe return of their loved ones.
