Bala Muhammed reunites ‘three Bauchi children trafficked to Anambra’ with families

The three children who were trafficked to Anambra state from Bauchi have been reunited with their families.

The children were said to have been transported sometime in 2024 by a yet-to-be-identified individual from Bauchi to Anambra for sale.

Auwal Musa, Bauchi’s commissioner of police, handed over the children to Bala Mohammed, the state governor, on Wednesday.

The governor subsequently reunited the children with their parents.

BACKGROUND

Tochukwu Ikenga, police spokesperson in Anambra, told journalists on Monday that the suspects involved in the case, including the foster mother of the stolen children, have been arrested after confessing to the crime.

Ikenga noted that the prime suspect remains at large.

Police commands in both Anambra and Bauchi had earlier launched manhunts for the suspects and declared some individuals wanted.

Preliminary findings revealed that one of the children was being sought after for N2 million.

‘JUSTICE WILL PREVAIL’

In a statement on Instagram on Wednesday, the Bauchi governor said the perpetrator would face “the full force of the law”.

He commended the cooperation between the police commands, the office of the first lady, and the gender-based violence committee in ensuring the children’s rescue.

“During the formal handover at Government House, the Commissioner of Police, CP Mohammed Auwal Musa, briefed me on the successful operation,” Mohammed said.

“I commend the exemplary efforts of the security agencies and the unwavering commitment of the First Ladies of Bauchi and Anambra States in addressing child trafficking and abuse.

“As a government, we remain steadfast in our resolve to combat these heinous crimes. I urge parents to remain vigilant and prioritise the proper upbringing of their children while calling on community leaders to play an active role in supervising and protecting their communities.

“Justice will prevail, and perpetrators of such despicable acts will face the full force of the law. Together, we must remain united to protect the most vulnerable among us—our children.”