Nation
Emir, Others Condemn Kidnapping, Selling Of Minors
The Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, has condemned the trend of kidnapping and selling children, mostly northern minors, to southern parts of the country.
The TIde’s source reports that the Emir expressed his concern on Saturday in Kano while addressing newsmen.
Represented by Dan Malikin Kano, Amb. Ahmad Umar, the first class traditional ruler said the Emirate would no longer condone abduction and trading of children in the state.
He said the issue has gotten out of hand that proactive action must be taken to curb it.
“This ugly trend must stop. We have to rise up against it. We will no longer condone a situation whereby our children are kidnapped, sold and their tribe and religion were changed.
“This illicit act must stop. We have to rise up to check the situation as it is going out of hand. The situation cannot stop itself, it is we that will make it stop. It happened few years ago and now it has happened again. Only God knows how many of our children had been kidnapped and sold”, he said.
The source recalls that the Kano state Police Command on December 27, 2023, said it had dismantled a human trafficking syndicate that specialised in abduction, buying and selling of minors.
The Command added that nine suspects had been arrested from the syndicate, which was operating around Kano, Bauchi, Lagos, Delta, Anambra and Imo States.
It also rescued seven children, majority from Bauchi state, from the suspects.
He said the emirate had expressed great disappointment over the abduction of minors.
Describing the situation as disturbing, he called for punishment on the perpetrators to serve as a lesson to others.
The royal member noted that Kano had been accommodating visitors for hundreds of years, emphasising that the visitors should not take the advantage of the hospitality received by the state to commit crimes.
“Kano, for hundreds of years has been welcoming visitors and take them as its sons. Recently we have seen a disturbing and unfortunate incident of rescuing children trafficked to Lagos through Kano.
“The Emir expressed serious disappointment of Kano and northern Nigeria about the incident and wants to see a lasting solution to the problem”, he said.
In his remarks, the leader of Igbo community in Kano, Eze Ndigbo, Boniface Igbekwe, alao condemned the act and called on authorities to bring the perpetrators to book.
Represented by Prime Minister of the Igbo Community, Chief Nwaimo Efanyi, he said the Igbo community had received the news of the kidnapped children rescued by the police with shock and disbelief.
He said the entire Igbo community in Kano had dissociated themselves from the suspects and any kind of heinous acts committed in their name, stressing that they are always committed to live peacefully with one another.
“We condemned the act in its entirety in whatever guise and call for punishment on the perpetrators. We Igbo dissociate ourselves from this criminality. We call for peace with one another”, he stated.
The Eze Ndigbo commended the Kano Police command for dismantling the syndicate and rescue of the victims, urging it not to rest on its resolve until all kidnapped children were rescued.
Speaking earlier, the state Chairman of the ACF, Dr Goni Faruk Umar, lauded the political commitment demonstrated by Gov. Abba Yusuf and the Police Commissioner, Mr Hussaini Gumel, for their commitment and support to the victims and their parents.
“Our call is to Police to double up their efforts in searching and bursting these criminal gangs.
“We really commend the police for this breakthrough. We thank them immensely.
“Our call is also to the judiciary. They should fear God. At times these suspects would be charged to court by police but later on you see them released and moving freely.
“We therefore call on the judiciary to be diligent and ensure the perpetrators face the wrath of the law.
“To legislators, we urge you to make robust legislation against this act of kidnapping and abduction of people. All hands must be on deck to check this ugly trend”, he said.
The Rivers State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Peters Nwagor, has commended the orderly conduct of the ongoing 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination in the state and urged schools to sustain the standard.
Dr. Nwagor gave the commendation on Tuesday during a monitoring tour of selected secondary schools in Port Harcourt and environs where the WAEC exam is ongoing.
The commissioner, who was accompanied by directors and monitors from the Ministry of Education, said he was impressed with the peaceful atmosphere at the centres visited.
“The students conducted themselves properly and wrote their papers under conducive conditions. Invigilators and supervisors also performed their duties professionally,” he stated.
Nwagor noted that the Rivers State Government had invested heavily to ensure the smooth and credible conduct of the examination across the state
He urged candidates to reciprocate government’s effort by shunning all forms of examination malpractice and focusing on their studies.
“Government has done so much to ensure successful examinations in our schools. Students should take advantage of it by remaining focused,” the commissioner said.
While no case of malpractice was recorded in the centres inspected, Dr. Nwagor warned that any principal, teacher, invigilator, or official caught aiding malpractice would face strict sanctions in line with regulations.
He also commended school administrators, teachers, WAEC officials, and security personnel for upholding the integrity of the process.
Centres visited included County Grammar School, Ikwerre/Etche; Government Comprehensive Secondary School, Borokiri; Government Secondary School, Borokiri; and Pabod Model Secondary School.
Rivers State University and the Otonti Nduka Foundation for Values Education jointly hosted a two-day National Conference on 8 and 9 May 2026 to examine the state of values in Nigeria.
The two days conference held at Rivers State University convocation arena brought together academics, policymakers, legal experts and education leaders under the theme _“Trends and Challenges in Upholding Values in Nigeria.”_
The gathering focused on policy gaps, curriculum reform, and the role of ethics in public service and education.
The event opened on Friday with remarks from Vice Chancellor Prof. Chief Isaac Zeb-Obipi, who stressed the need to address declining moral and civic values across Nigeria’s education and public sectors. A book of abstracts for the plenary sessions was also presented to participants.
Key speakers included former Attorney General Chief Dr Kanu Agabi, SAN; NERDC Executive Secretary Prof. Shehu Salisu; Prof. Hauwa Imam, FNAE, of the University of Abuja; former Rivers SUBEB Chairman Ven Dr Fyneface Akah, ; former NIMASA DG Dr Hon. Dakuku Adol-Peterside; and RSU Director of ICT Prof. Sunny Orike.
Discussions centered on integrating values education into schools, tertiary institutions and public institutions, alongside the impact of technology on moral development among young Nigerians. Panel and plenary sessions produced practical recommendations for curriculum and policy reform.
On Saturday, the foundation marked its centenary with the unveiling of the book _Otonti Nduka in History_, launched by Chief Engr. Grant Offor, FNSE. The Nigerian Academy of Education held a ceremonial procession led by its President Prof. Olu Jegede and the Ikwerre Professors Forum.
In a communiqué, participants called for stronger collaboration between government, civil society and academia to mainstream values education nationwide. They recommended reviewing teacher training curricula and expanding digital platforms to promote ethical civic engagement, with the foundation pledging to share the outcomes with education authorities for implementation.
Dignitaries present included Ogbakor Ikwerre Worldwide as Chief Host, Prof. Emeritus Chief T. Uzodimma Nwala, the Ikenga 1 of Mbaise and first philosophy student of Prof. Otonti Nduka, alongside scholars and community leaders.
Amadi Akujobi
