The Kaduna State government has successfully rescued thirteen children who were allegedly sold to child traffickers operating outside the state's borders. Hajiya Rabi Salisu, the Commissioner of the Ministry of Human Services and Social Development, made this announcement to the press, detailing the intricate network used by the criminal syndicate. The abducted children were initially transported to Abuja before being moved to Enugu. Authorities are still in pursuit of several members of the gang.

Commissioner Salisu highlighted the severity of the cases, stating, “One of the abducted children was stolen when the child was just seven days old, and now, that same child is seven years old.” She further explained that the children, having been moved to different locations, are unable to identify where they are from. Despite this challenge, the government is committed to reuniting them with their families.

A disturbing detail revealed by Salisu was the alteration of the children’s names. “All of them have their names changed from Hausa to other names,” she noted. The rescued children are currently under the special intervention and emergency support of the government, receiving psychosocial counseling, nutritional food, medical care, and rehabilitation at the ministry’s facility.

The operation leading to the rescue was initiated following arrests made on March 24, 2025. “Upon review of the situation in one of the scenarios after the arrest made, on 24th March, 2025, the ministry received 11 children from the office of the state Commissioner of Police from Abuja,” Salisu stated.

According to the Commissioner, five members of the kidnapping gang disclosed that their leader operates an orphanage in Abuja, using it as a front for their illicit activities. “She uses her orphanage as a temporary shelter for the stolen children and negotiates for their sale to prospective buyers in the eastern part of the country. This evil act is so alarming that all the children found and brought back have lost their identities so much that they can’t remember their original homes,” she explained.

In addition to the children recovered in Abuja, others were rescued from different locations. “Seven of the children were received on 9th April 2025 from the state CP’s office. The remaining children from Abuja and six others brought back from Birnin Kebbi, who were abducted and sold to a woman nicknamed Maman Salamatu, in Calabar (real name concealed as the case is still under investigation in Kebbi),” Salisu added.

Salisu urged parents who have lost children to come forward with concrete evidence, including proof of birth and other relevant information, to facilitate the reunification process. She also advised parents to be vigilant and nurture their children with good moral upbringing to protect them against all forms of abuse, violence, and exploitation.

Ali Adamu, whose daughter, Maryam, was abducted two months prior in Kogi State, expressed his gratitude to the ministry and other government agencies for their efforts in reuniting him with his daughter. He also implored parents to be watchful to prevent the trauma of losing a child.

The Commissioner reiterated the importance of vigilance, advising parents to “imbibe the culture of good parenting and nurture their children with good moral upbringing to protect them against all forms of abuse, violence, and exploitation.”