Emir Bayero wants 47 missing kids rescued

The Emir of Bichi, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, has called on the police and other security agencies to intensify search for the 47 Kano children who are still missing.

Bayero condemned the kidnapping of Kano kids by an Igbo kidnapping syndicate, The-78-year-old proprietor of the sealed Qur’anic and Rehabilitation center, Mallam Bello Abdullahi, was yesterday remanded in prison after he was arraigned before a Senior Magistrate Court in Katsina.

Bello, alongside two others; Habibu Bello, 28, and Abba Abubakar,16, were charged before the court for criminal conspiracy, wrongful confinement, and cruelty to children.

A police first information report read at the court stated that “on 13/10/2019 at about 10.00hrs, information was received at the Divisional police Headquarters, Sabon Gari Daura, that one Mallam Bello and the following persons Habibu Bello and Abba Abubakar, all from Daura town conspired and opened an illegal rehabilitation center in the town.

“They continued to deceive people from various states and which specializes in kidnapping young Muslim Children from Kano to Southern part of the country.

Speaking to Daily Trust yesterday, the emir, who commended the police for rescuing nine abducted kids, said “If security agencies can intensify efforts, the 47 kids that are still missing can also be discovered and subsequently rescued.”

Bayero also called on the federal and state governments to pursue the matter to a logical conclusion.

To the Igbo, the emir urged their leaders to come out and condemn the action of the kidnappers, saying “we are living in peace with Igbo people here in Kano for several decades.” neighbouring countries to bring their children between 12 and 16 years and adult people in the name of rehabilitation center or school where they confined over 300 inmates on chains.

“They continued to maltreat them by beating, insulting and detaining them, especially underage children. This treatment made them to break the house they were confined and they started running inside the town with chains on their legs. Hence, the reports to the Sabon Gari police state, Daura.”

The prosecuting police officer told the court that the actions of the accused were contrary to Section 97, 257(b) and 238 of the penal code upon which they were being charged with.

The Presiding Magistrate, Nuradeen Abdullahi, thereafter asked the accused to be remanded in prison till October 22 when bail application on their matter could be entertained.

He also urged parents to always keep eyes on their children in order to protect them from being kidnapped by some unscrupulous elements.

The emir, however, charged the general public to report to security agencies any suspecious movements of individual or group for necessary action.