Adamawa Governor Fintiri Reunites 14 Abducted Children With Families In Yola.
Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State has overseen the emotional reunion of 14 children with their families in Yola, following their rescue from a trafficking syndicate in Anambra State. The handover ceremony, conducted on Wednesday, 20 August 2025, was led by Deputy Governor Professor Kaletapwa Farauta, who represented Fintiri, currently abroad, at the Deputy Governor’s Office in the state capital.
The children, aged between 4 and 9, were abducted from various communities in Adamawa, primarily from Jambutu Ward in Yola North Local Government Area. Farauta revealed that the suspected ringleader, Ngozi Abdulwahab, operated a small provision shop, using snacks and gifts to lure the children before trafficking them to Anambra, where they were sold for sums ranging from ₦800,000 to ₦1.7 million each. The children were rescued last month following an intelligence-led operation by security forces, with the suspect now in custody awaiting prosecution under Nigeria’s Trafficking in Persons Act and the Adamawa Child Protection Law.
Speaking at the ceremony, Farauta described child trafficking as “an unfortunate monster ravaging the nation” but expressed relief at the children’s safe return. “It is gladdening that these children are back with their parents,” she said, noting that one child, initially unaccounted for due to hospitalisation, had recovered and joined the group, bringing the total to 14. The state government provided each family with ₦100,000 and food items to support their reintegration, with the Ministry of Women Affairs and local welfare units tasked with ongoing monitoring.
Farauta, on behalf of Governor Fintiri, issued a stern warning to parents, urging them not to send children under 10 on errands or to school unaccompanied. “We will not tolerate such careless acts,” she stated, emphasising the need for heightened vigilance. She also praised the security operatives for their role in dismantling the trafficking network and vowed that the state would continue to pursue and prosecute traffickers relentlessly.
The reunion, marked by tears of joy and relief, highlighted the broader issue of child trafficking in Nigeria, with UNICEF estimating thousands of children are trafficked annually. Social media posts on X reflected widespread support for the government’s actions, with many commending Fintiri’s commitment to child safety. The Adamawa Child Protection Network, present at the event, called for increased community awareness to prevent future incidents, reinforcing that “these criminals live among us.”
