Gombe State Governor Inuwa Yahaya has raised a distress alarm over the disappearance of 48 children from the state, warning that the victims may have been trafficked to other parts of the world.
The governor made the disclosure on Friday during the inauguration of a Ramadan palliatives distribution exercise held in Gombe, expressing deep concern over what he described as a disturbing wave of child-stealing activities sweeping across the state.
“From available records, 48 Gombe State children between the ages of two and five have been stolen from the state to other parts of the world,” Yahaya said. “Their parents are here within the state. As for the children, we do not know whether they will ever be found.”
The governor did not specify the timeframe over which the disappearances occurred but acknowledged uncertainty about the prospects of recovering the missing children.
Yahaya cited one recent case where a boy was abducted at Orji Estate following a partial relaxation of a motorcycle ban in the state, though he noted the child was fortunately rescued. He used the incident to underscore the security risks posed by easing the restriction.
The governor called on residents to treat security as a shared responsibility, pushing back against critics who have opposed some of the government’s security measures, including bans on motorcycle operations and metal scrap dealing. He noted that some traders affected by the scrap metal ban had even lobbied religious leaders to pressure the government into reversing the policy.
Yahaya also raised alarm over the vandalism of critical infrastructure, revealing that the newly constructed N26 billion Muhammadu Buhari Industrial Park has been targeted by suspected vandals, with electrical installations linked to power supply from Dadin Kowa Dam damaged and equipment stolen.
On a separate note, the governor announced that Ramadan palliatives would be distributed to 70,000 beneficiaries across the state within three days. The items, which include rice, macaroni, spaghetti, cooking oil, and sugar, are targeted at vulnerable groups including the physically challenged, orphanages, and religious organisations. He charged the Palliative Distribution Committee to ensure transparency and fairness throughout the exercise.
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