By Our Correspondence
The Kano State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Children and Persons with Special Needs, Hajiya Amina Abdullahi Sani, has vowed to ensure strict action against individuals involved in alleged illegal adoption and child trafficking in the state.
The commissioner made this known following a reported case involving two children allegedly taken from a young woman residing in the Kwana Hudu area of Kano.
The matter was brought to the ministry’s attention by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), after reports emerged that the children were allegedly adopted illegally by a staff member of Abdullahi Wase Specialist Hospital identified as Maryam.
Preliminary findings indicated that the children were allegedly obtained from vulnerable young girls with unwanted pregnancies and taken outside Kano State without following due legal procedures or obtaining proper authorisation.
Sources further alleged that the suspect facilitated the adoption of the Muslim children by non-Muslim families outside the state, an act authorities described as a violation of the children’s religious and cultural identity, as well as a breach of lawful adoption procedures.
Following the report, the commissioner led a delegation of directors and senior ministry officials to NAPTIP’s office to ensure immediate intervention and proper handling of the case.
The two children involved were later brought to NAPTIP custody, where preliminary investigations and consultations among relevant authorities commenced.
The ministry also said it uncovered allegations that some individuals exploit vulnerable young women facing unwanted pregnancies by unlawfully taking newborn babies outside the state for illegal adoption and possible trafficking.
Condemning the development, Hajiya Amina described child trafficking, illegal adoption, child abuse, exploitation and neglect as criminal acts that would not be tolerated in Kano State.
She warned that the ministry, in collaboration with NAPTIP and other security and child protection agencies, would take decisive action against anyone found violating the rights and welfare of children.
The commissioner reaffirmed the commitment of the Kano State Government under Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to protecting children and vulnerable persons across the state.
She also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities relating to child trafficking, illegal adoption, abuse or neglect to relevant authorities.
According to her, investigations are ongoing and anyone found culpable will face the full weight of the law.
