Gov Mohammed reprimands parents of 7 children stolen from Bauchi

 From Paul Orude Bauchi

Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed has directed parents of seven recovered children stolen from the state to sign an undertaking before taking full custody.

Mohammed gave the order in Bauchi on Wednesday when he received the children who were returned from Kano State from the Commissioner of Police, Auwal Mohammed, at Government House.

The governor expressed happiness that they were alive but was disappointed with the parents for not properly reporting the theft years ago.

“When we interrogated you, you said you reported even though we do not have any record,” he stated

He thanked the Kano State police command for the recovery and Governor Abba Yusuf, for reuniting them with their parents saying the gestures were hallmarks of true policing and leadership.

He reprimanded the parents of the recovered children saying they did nothing to deserve N500, 000 donated by the Kano State governor.

“They do not deserve anything rather they should work hard, but for the sake of the children I will do something,” he said.

He therefore announced donation of N1 million to each of the children and directed that the money must be put in a dedicated bank account for the children.

He directed the State Ministry of Women Affairs and Child Development to concluded information on the children’s career progression and growth.

“These children should be enrolled in school immediately,” he directed.

“If the parents cannot do it, they should confess it and bring them to BASOVCA (Bauchi State Orphan and Vulnerable Children Agency).

He urged the parents to take the responsibility of teaching the recovered children their faith and mother tongue so that they can be properly assimilate into the society.

He charged parents and communities in general to be alive to their responsibilities in upbringing of children, saying that government cannot do everything for citizens.

He urged the law enforcement agencies and community leaders to be more vigilant as several communities were springing up that the government is working hard to ensure adequate police.

“It is not for nothing that the Emir of Bauchi requested that build a road from Bauchi, Gwallaga to Mayaka and we have just awarded the contract,” he said.

He advised security agencies to go into the nooks and crannies to profile the kinds of people living in emerging communities in the state.

The police boss revealed that it was the governor that intimated him about a viral video of the children and he swung into action by quickly contacting his Kano counterpart.

“I met him and had a brief about the excellent job they had done in Kano that led to the recovery of these abducted children,” he said.

The CP commended the quick response of the governor and his officials, especially the Chief of Staff in returning the children to Bauchi.

He revealed that the abduction of the children were carried out prior to the coming of Bala Mohammed led administration.

“The whole thing started around 2016 or there about although there were two incidents in 2023,” he said.