Don’t introduce religious matters into abduction, trafficking, Bauchi gov warns

Bauchi State governor, Senator Bala Mohammed Abdulkadir, has stressed that the recent rescue of the seven abducted children in the state has no ethno-religious colouration and so, it must not be used as such by overzealous religious bigots.

The governor warned residents of the state, especially those in the habit of using such opportunities to start crisis, not to use the issue to create confusion that may lead to mistrust among Nigerians .

The call followed the apprehension created by the arrest of the suspected masterminds of the abduction and trafficking of the seven children who are all indigenes of the state.

The governor, said this while formally receiving the abducted children from the state police command at the  Government House, Bauchi, on Wednesday, after their repatriation from Kano State.

He expressed concern over what he described as mischievous business by dubious people who want to tarnish the image of the state, explaining that such acts can be found in every tribe across the country.

“Don’t ascribe it to any religion or tribe, we have the good and the bad in every tribe and religion. Though, the suspects are mostly Christians and Ibos, it does not mean all the rest are bad. They are our brothers and sisters. Let the law take its full course.

“You don’t just put everyone in the bad just because of one bad person,’’ he said.

The governor charged religious and traditional leaders to educate parents on their obligations as enshrined in the religious books and social obligations.

“We will engage religious leaders to use the Friday Jummaat prayers and Sunday church worship to talk on the roles and responsibilities of godly parenting,” he said.

He also ordered the Ministry of Women Affairs and Child Development to immediately enroll all the rescued children in schools and announced the donation of N1 million to each of the seven rescued children as an endowment for their upkeep.

The governor praised the efforts of the state commissioner of police and other security agencies for their support.

He assured that his administration will provide the police with all the necessary support and tools to enable them to perform their duties.

The governor also said that his administration had signed the rights of the Child Act in order to further protect the child from all kinds of violations.

The governor also said that his administration will continue to support security agents in ensuring sustainable peace and stability in the state.

Earlier, the state commissioner of police, Muhammad Auwal, who facilitated the repatriation process from Kano State police command,  had told the governor that all the suspects had been arrested and investigations ongoing.

The commissioner, while handing over the abducted children, said that initially, they were seven, six from Bauchi State while one child is from Kano  State.

He commended the support of Kano State governor, Abba  Yusuf, and the quick response of the Bauchi State governor regarding the case.