Abduction of Kano children criminal, not religious, ethnic – Onitsha Traditional Council

The Onitsha Traditional Council has expressed disapproval over the recent abduction of nine Kano children found in Onitsha.

Reacting to the incident in a statement, the traditional council said “these are criminal acts perpetrated by individuals for commercial purposes without any religious, ethnic or social connotation.”

The Council also disclosed that the Obi of Onitsha, Nnaemeka Achebe, is in full contact on the matter with the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II.

Both monarchs according to the statement ‘’unequivocally condemn the criminal act, and are committed to the rule of law, mutual respect, and peaceful and harmonious co-existence amongst all Nigerians wherever they may reside.”

They further urged all citizens of Kano, Onitsha and the entire country to maintain peace and support the officers of the law in carrying out their duties.

The Nigeria Police, Kano State command, on October 13, reunited nine children who were allegedly kidnapped and sold in Anambra State, with their families.

The children, aged between two and 10 years, were said to have been kidnapped from various locations within Kano state.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Ahmed Iliyasu, who handed the kids over to their respective families, said some of them got missing since 2014, but were traced to Anambra State, where they were sold.

The Kano police command had announced the arrest of eight suspects in connection with the alleged kidnapping and trafficking of the children.