The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has condemned the abduction and conversion to Christianity of nine children from Kano State, saying the federal government must take decisive steps to bring the alleged perpetrators of the dastardly act to book.
Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, Spokesperson of CNG, disclosed that if the Kano government failed to enact relevant laws to deal with the crime of child abuse, the group would be forced to mobilise Nigerians across the northern parts of the country for a nation-wide protest.
In a press statement on Monday in Abuja, the group wondered why the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government had not issued a statement to condemn the horrible act.
It would be recalled that the nine children were rescued by the police on Oct. 11 from Anambra state where they were taken and allegedly sold as slaves.
The group urged northern states in the country to resist “any attempt to treat this particular case and similar others that may be uncovered as mere child trafficking considering the ages of the victims and the ritual of their renaming and forced conversion to Christianity.”
The statement read in part: “The North must insist that in addition to child theft, molestation and forced separation from parents, this particular case and subsequent others that may be digged up, be appropriately dealt with as proselytism which is the act or fact of religious conversion, or attempts at conversion by ‘unjust means that violate the conscience of the human person.
“We conclude by giving notice that failure of the authorities to act satisfactorily in the circumstances outlined above and in the event of the slightest perception of attempts at unfair misappropriation of justice or coverup in this case, the CNG would be left with no option than to call out the northern public to a mass protest to press for justice for these innocent children and others suffering or likely to suffer similar fates.”
In a related development, another group known as Kano LEADS, has described the incident as “wicked,” calling on civil society groups to demand justice on behalf of the hapless children.
In a statement by Aisha Dankani, Convener of Kano LEADS, condemned “the wicked act and call for decisive and prompt action to ensure justice is done and seen to be done.”
The statement added: “We seek justice for the hapless children and their families that have been made to suffer such unbearable trauma. We will keep an eye on this. We will expose anybody who attempts to compromise on securing justice for the victims, and for Kano and Kanawa.”