Parents jittery as Bauchi turns hotspot for child trafficking

Bauchi, once known as a peaceful place for families, is now facing a growing problem of child trafficking. GOSSIP UNION reports that the perpetrators are targeting innocent children, using tricks to gain the trust of families.

In a recent incident, a woman who lived in a compound for just five days managed to abduct three children, showing how easy it is for traffickers to operate in the state. The incident has left many parents scared and worried for the safety of their children, Timi Owolabi reports.

What began as an ordinary day on December 17, 2024, quickly turned into every parent’s worst nightmare when three children disappeared from a residential compound in Gwallameji area of Bauchi metropolis.

The alleged abductor, a woman, had lived in the neighborhood for just five days.

According to witnesses, the woman rented a room in the compound, appearing friendly and harmless.

She frequently bought sweets and snacks for the children, played with them, and promised gifts, winning the trust of both the kids and their parents. But beneath her kind gesture, a sinister plan was unfolding.

“She seemed harmless,” said Maryam Habibu, whose 6-year-old daughter, Nana Khadija, was among the abducted.

Maryam Habibu, Nana’s mother, in an exclusive interview with DAILY POST recalled the distressing day when her daughter, who had recently come first in her class, was promised a gift by the woman.

“She said she would buy Nana a gift for coming first, and even bought snacks for the children,” Maryam said.

The woman had promised to take the children to the market on that day, but they soon realized that she had disappeared without explanation.

Khadija, known for being cautious around strangers, was seemingly deceived by the woman’s friendly demeanor.

“She used to notify us whenever she was going out, but that day she didn’t,” Maryam added.

The families were left in shock when they realized the children were missing.

For 21 agonizing days, they searched tirelessly, unsure of where their children were or when they would return.

“There was a day when I looked at my other children, and Nana’s absence hit me so hard— I just started crying,” Maryam shared, her voice filled with sorrow.

Nana Khadija, the youngest of the children, was eventually found safe after being taken hundreds of kilometers away.

“I’m relieved that my daughter is back,” said Maryam, her voice filled with a mix of joy and exhaustion.

“But I will take stronger precaution to ensure this never happens again.

“I urge other parents to always be vigilant and keep a close eye on their children,” Maryam added.

Father in shock

Also speaking in an exclusive interview with GOSSIP UNION, Abdulkadir Salisu, a father whose child was among those taken, described the events leading up to the abduction as shocking.

“The woman had promised to buy a school bag for the girl and balls for the boys,” Salisu explained.

“On the day of the market visit, she told the children she was taking them to buy their gifts, but when the women in the house went looking, they found out she had taken the children without notifying anyone.

“The woman‘s room, located at the front of the house, had made it easier for her to take the children unnoticed.

“By the time we realized what had happened, the children had already disappeared,” he said.

Salisu, who was away at the time, returned home to find his neighbours frantically searching for the children.

“We looked everywhere but couldn’t find them. We then went to the police station to file a report,” he said.

He said the case was taken up by the police, but it wasn’t until three weeks later that the family learnt the children had been found in Anambra State, nearly 700 kilometers away.

For almost 21 days, Salisu and the other parents lived in fear and uncertainty, hoping for a miracle.

“We were devastated, especially not knowing where our children were. It was a nightmare,” Salisbury said.