Politics
Kaduna govt rescues 13 trafficked children taken to Southeast
The Kaduna State government has rescued 13 children who were allegedly trafficked out of the state by a syndicate operating across several regions of Nigeria.
Speaking to journalists on Saturday, the Commissioner for Human Services and Social Development, Hajiya Rabi Salisu, revealed that the children were initially taken from Kaduna to Abuja and then moved to Enugu by the traffickers.
“One of the abducted children was stolen when the child was seven days old and now, that same child is seven-years-old,” she disclosed.
“The children cannot identify their locations, but the authorities will do everything humanly possible to ensure that all the children are reunited with their family members.”
The commissioner added that the identities of the children were tampered with by the traffickers to conceal their origins.
“All of them have their names changed from Hausa to other names. Those brought to Kaduna are under the special intervention and emergency support of the government under the ministry’s facility to provide psychosocial counselling and support, nutritional food, medical care, and rehabilitation,” she said.
Giving more insight, Salisu said 11 of the children were received from the Kaduna State Police Command on March 24, 2025, after arrests were made in connection with the case.
“Upon review of the situation in one of the scenarios after the arrest made, on 24th March, 2025, the ministry received 11 children from the office of the state Commissioner of Police from Abuja.”
She further explained that five members of the gang revealed that their ringleader runs an orphanage in Abuja used as a front for trafficking.
“She uses her orphanage as temporary shelter for the stolen children and negotiates for their sale to prospective buyers in the eastern part of the country,” Salisu explained.
“This evil act is so alarming that all the children found and brought back have lost their identities so much that they can’t remember their original homes.”
According to her, seven more children were handed over to the ministry on April 9, 2025, and six others were returned from Birnin Kebbi. These six were allegedly trafficked to a woman known as “Maman Salamatu” in Calabar, though her real name has been withheld due to the ongoing investigation.
The commissioner called on parents searching for missing children to come forward with relevant evidence.
“We call on parents, who lost their children and are searching for them, to come forward with concrete evidence including proof of birth, and other relevant information.”
She urged parents to be vigilant and instill good morals in their children to prevent abuse and exploitation.
“Parents must be vigilant, imbibe the culture of good parenting, and nurture their children with good moral upbringing to protect them against all forms of abuse, violence and exploitation.”
Ali Adamu, a parent whose daughter, Maryam, was abducted two months ago in Kogi State and recently rescued, expressed gratitude.
“I thank the ministry and all other government agencies for reuniting me with my daughter,” he said.
“I call on parents to be watchful over their children so they do not go through the trauma of losing a child.”
Politics
Breaking: Diri Orders Autopsy on Bayelsa Deputy Governor’s Death, Warns Against Politicisation
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has ordered an autopsy to determine the cause of death of the state’s Deputy Governor, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.
Governor Diri gave the directive on Saturday while receiving former President Goodluck Jonathan at the Government House in Yenagoa.
Reacting to the incident, the governor condemned what he described as widespread misinformation and speculation on social media, warning against any attempt to politicise the deputy governor’s death.
“I want to make an appeal. I have seen people politicise his death. In Ijaw land, there is no enmity in death. Let nobody politicise the passing of our dearly beloved deputy governor,” Diri said.
“If anyone truly loves him, this is the time to show it. I have directed that an autopsy be carried out to reveal the cause of his death. There is a lot of nonsense going on on social media.”
The governor further urged the public to focus on mourning and honouring the late deputy governor, noting that the state government had declared three working days of mourning in his honour.
“If anyone is issuing statements to eulogise him, let it end there. Let us mourn him because Bayelsa State is in a mourning mood,” he added.
Governor Diri also called for unity and love among the people, reminding them of the inevitability of death.
Speaking during the condolence visit, former President Goodluck Jonathan described the late Ewhrudjakpo as a committed and dedicated individual who played a key role in the activities of his foundation.
“For me, he was someone my foundation and I will never forget. He represented the governor in all our programs,” Jonathan said, adding that Ewhrudjakpo worked tirelessly in that role, even more than when he served as deputy governor.
The founder of Living Faith Church, Bishop David Oyedepo, has said he will never take part in partisan politics, not for even billions of naira.
He stated that no amount of money, including “$1 billion,” (1.4 Trillion naira) would make him join politics.
Oyedepo made this known during an impartation service at Shiloh 2025 held at the church’s headquarters in Canaanland, Ota, Ogun State.
He explained that partisan politics is not part of his life’s calling and that is why he has chosen to stay away from it.
In his words: “In 2015, I warned the church that trouble was coming. Didn’t trouble come?
“Partisan politics is off my calling. If you give me $1 billion to join politics, I won’t, because it is off my course.”
The bishop also said the world is in urgent need of God’s intervention because of the times we are living in.
According to him, believers are being trained as an end-time army to bring solutions to national and global problems, similar to what biblical figures like Joseph and Daniel did.
President Bola Tinubu congratulates Chief Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), on his birthday, December 13.
President Tinubu celebrates with the Minister and former governor of Rivers State, giving thanks to God Almighty for enriching him with a life defined by purpose, service, and courage.
The President describes Chief Wike as an audacious top performer who defies obstacles and delivers results.
President Tinubu acknowledges the ongoing transformation of the Federal Capital Territory through infrastructure expansion, highlighting the Minister’s recent intervention that broke the 14-year logjam in the construction of the Apo-Karshi road.
The President commends Chief Wike for his resilience, can-do attitude, and commitment to excellence in all assignments.
President Tinubu thanks the Minister for his consistent efforts in delivering results and wishes him a happy birthday and strength to further his good work in the FCT.
“Nyesom Wike has been one of the shining stars in the cabinet, an exceptional performer, developing infrastructure in the Federal capital as never seen before and proving that his moniker as ‘Mr Project’ is not limited to his home state of Rivers.
“I commend him for being one of the champions of our Renewed Hope Agenda, even though he belongs to another party and wish him well as he marks another year in his life journey”.
Bayo Onanuga
Special Adviser to the President
(Information and Strategy)
December 13, 2025
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