Cross River State Governor, Ben Ayade
A
group, Prevent Abuse of Children Today Coalition, has lamented the
kidnap of no fewer than 20 kids in Calabar, the Cross River State
capital in the last nine months. disclosed on Saturday.
The Coordinator of PACT Coalition, Mr.
James Ibor, told Southern City News on Saturday that the group arrived
at the total figure of 20 kids after its investigations. He regretted
that the ancient city of Calabar, known for its serene and peaceful
environment had become a den of kidnappers.
He said, “The fact that Calabar is
increasingly gaining this sad reputation as a centre of child kidnapping
should be of major concern to all state and national leaders.
“Over
the last nine months, at least 20 children in the city and outskirts of
Calabar have been reportedly kidnapped for suspected ritual purposes.
“The number of such cases seems to be
increasingly on the rise. Children aged between one and seven years have
been reportedly kidnapped, leaving families distressed and helpless.”
Ibor noted that on the July 9, 2015, a
one-year-and-nine-month-old baby was kidnapped at Ikot Abasi Obori
Street, Ikot Ishie town in Calabar and on June 2, 2015, a
four-and-half-year-old child was kidnapped at Awi, Akamkpa, Cross River
State.
“On 15th May, 2015 a four-year-old child
was kidnapped at Akamkpa, Cross River State and a two and half-year-old
child was also kidnapped at Idang, Calabar South. In April 2015, a
four-year-old child was kidnapped at 8th Mile axis of Calabar.
“Other cases include a one-and-a-half
year old child who was kidnapped in May, 2015 after the kidnappers had
lured the child’s mother to Aba, Abia state on the pretext of giving her
a job. Again, in April 2015 a seven-year-old child was kidnapped at
Ambo Street, Calabar South. Another seven-year-old child was kidnapped
in April 2015 at Idang, Calabar South. On 14th May, 2014, a two-year-old
child was kidnapped at Okon Ekpo Close, off Jebbs, Calabar South.
“In September, 2014 a four-year-old child
was kidnapped at Adiabo, Odukpani LGA. Also, a little boy of
six-year-old and her sister (two years old) were both kidnapped in June,
2014 at Ikot-Eyo, Akpabuyo Local Government Area.”
The coalition said it had documentation of the incidents, adding that the situation was worrisome.
“We have the full data and documentation
of these kidnapped children in Cross River State. All cases are too
numerous to mention and are on the rise daily. It is speculated that
these many incidents of kidnapping are sponsored by politicians in the
state who use the innocent victims for sacrificial rituals to gain
perceived political victories and favours at elections and electoral
tribunals.
“It is extremely worrisome that the
police appear to have been having a field day as they continue to extort
money from the poor and desperate parents of these children, all in the
name of financing investigations. Additionally, some self-proclaimed
prophets claim to have spiritual powers to conjure and lure the
kidnappers to bring back the missing children.
“At the moment, we are making efforts in
collaboration with some security agents to arrest one of the prophets
for extorting N40, 000 from one of the parents and victims. Despite all
such claims and so-called investigations, no child has yet been found or
returned to their parents,” the group said.
The group lamented that no kid has been rescued over the period.
The coalition said, “It is illegal as
well as cruel and wicked for anyone to kidnap, maim, and/or murder
helpless and defenceless children. There can be no justification. This
is a fundamental breach of the Cross River State Child’s Rights Law,
2009 and Nigeria’s international legal commitments.
“We condemn this heartless and senseless
kidnapping of children in Cross River State. We call on federal and
state governments to put an end to child kidnapping and help save and
protect the lives of our younger generation.
“We must all join hands and ensure that
these kidnapped children are found and returned to their parents alive,
as well as prosecuting anyone suspected on evidence of being involved in
the kidnapping of a child. Child rights are human rights. We must
prevent abuse of children today,” the group said.
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