The Kaduna State government has rescued 13 children allegedly sold to child traffickers outside the state.
Speaking to newsmen, the state Commissioner for the Ministry of Human Services and Social Development, Hajiya Rabi Salisu, revealed that the stolen children were first moved to Abuja, and later to Enugu, by a syndicate—some members of which are still at large.
She said, “One of the abducted children was taken when the child was just seven days old. Now, that same child is seven years old. The children cannot identify their locations, but we are doing everything possible to reunite them with their families.”
“All their names were changed from Hausa to other names. The children brought back to Kaduna are under special intervention and emergency support, receiving psychosocial counselling, nutritious food, medical care, and rehabilitation.”
She further stated that, “On March 24, 2025, the ministry received 11 children from the Kaduna State Commissioner of Police’s office in Abuja.”
According to her, five suspects confessed that their gang leader runs an orphanage in Abuja, which she uses as a front to house stolen children and sell them to buyers in southeastern Nigeria.
“Seven of the children were received on April 9, 2025, from the state CP’s office. Others were rescued from Abuja and from Birnin Kebbi, where they had been sold to a woman identified as Maman Salamatu, in Calabar (real name withheld due to ongoing investigations).”
She urged parents whose children are missing to come forward with proof of birth and relevant evidence, and advised families to practice vigilant and morally upright parenting to prevent child trafficking.
One parent, Ali Adamu, whose daughter Maryam was abducted two months ago in Kogi State, expressed gratitude to the ministry and government agencies for reuniting him with his daughter. He urged all parents to be vigilant and protect their children from falling victim to such crimes.
