People sell, buy children in Kaduna like groundnut - Women commissioner

The Kaduna State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Hafsat Baba has condemned the trend of child trafficking, saying children are being sold and bought like groundnut in the state. 

Addressing newsmen yesterday in Kaduna, the commissioner said that so far, her ministry had rescued about 37 girls from child traffickers, and that the state government decided to launch a campaign today to stop physical, verbal, sexuall and all forms of violence against children.

 

“We are seriously battling with children being sold because people now buy and sell children like groundnut. Sometime ago, a child was molested to death in the state. How many other children lose their lives to such molestation? Most times, these ugly acts are perpetrated by parents, relations, guardians and teachers among others. But we cannot fold our hands and watch Kaduna children being sold, hence the decision to launch the campaign to possibly end all forms of violence against children,” she said.

She said progress was being made with individuals and bodies rallying to protect children, and disclosed that a group of pharmacists, SEMA, NEMA, Police and Immigration had formed a network against child trafficking.

“Want everyone to join hands with government and parents to ensure the safety of our children,” she said.