The Kano State Ministry of Women Affairs, Children and Persons with Special Needs has launched an investigation into an alleged illegal adoption and child trafficking case involving two children.
The children were reportedly taken from a young woman in the Kwana Hudu area of Kano.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs, Amina Abdullahi Sani, vowed that anyone found culpable would face the full wrath of the law.
According a statement by the Director Public Enlightenment in the ministry, Bintu Nuhu Yakasai, the case was reportedly brought to the ministry’s attention by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) following allegations that a staff member of Abdullahi Wase Specialist Hospital identified as Maryam facilitated the illegal adoption of the children.
According to the ministry, preliminary findings indicated that the children were allegedly obtained from vulnerable young women with unwanted pregnancies and taken outside Kano State without due legal process.
The ministry also alleged that the suspect transferred the children to non-Muslim families outside the state, describing the act as a violation of the children’s religious and cultural identity as well as established adoption procedures.
Following the report, the commissioner led a delegation of directors and senior ministry officials to NAPTIP’s office for discussions and preliminary investigations into the matter.
“The ministry, in collaboration with NAPTIP and other relevant agencies, will not tolerate any individual or group engaging in activities that violate the rights, dignity and welfare of children,” the commissioner said.
The two children at the centre of the controversy were later brought to NAPTIP as investigations commenced.
The ministry further alleged that some individuals exploit vulnerable young women facing unwanted pregnancies by unlawfully taking newborns outside Kano State for illegal adoption and possible trafficking.
The statement said the commissioner condemned child trafficking, illegal adoption, abuse and exploitation, describing them as criminal and unacceptable.
The stement added that the commissioner also urged residents to report suspicious activities relating to child trafficking, illegal adoption, abuse or neglect to relevant authorities.
The ministry said investigations are ongoing and assured the public that appropriate legal action would be taken against anyone found responsible.
