Anxiety Over Raising Cases Of Missing Children in Jalingo, Wukari

·       Schools, Parents On Red Alert 

Parents and guardians in Wukari and Jalingo area of Taraba state have expressed concern over raising cases of missing children in the state.

Taraba Truth and Facts gathered that over ten cases of missing children were reported in Wukari and Jalingo in the last one week.

Local security sources said cases of missing children are more prevalent in rural communities but are hardly reported to security agencies and media, fearing that the kidnapping of children might be linked to human ritual or organ harvesting since parents of missing children are not contacted for ransom.

In Jalingo,  a nine year old girl Aisha popularly known as Umaira went missing in Rubby area of the metropolis also two children Abdulrahaman Bello and Hamza Umar went missing at Nassarawo area without trace as at time of this report.

A group of Women under the umbrella of the Jukun Women and Child Care Association State have protested incessant cases of children disappearance in Wukari.

The protesting women said that eight children have been reported missing in Wukari between the ages of six.

Speaking at the peaceful rally, Mrs Justin Ajifken, said in recent time the area has witnessed rampant cases of children disappearance.

According to Justin Ajifken, so far about eight children have been reported missing and their where about is still unknown.

According to her in the last 4 months, 8 children have been reported missing who are between the ages of 4-6 years mostly male (7 males) and a female.

"We have resorted to staging a peaceful protest because after complaints complain to security men and other traditional rulers about the increasing number of missing children, no action was taken".

"Just last Friday, the son of an Igbo woman mysteriously disappeared when she went to take him from school and till now the son has not yet returned".

The women who wore black attire toured the major streets of the metropolis with various inscriptions, calling out the perpetrators of such acts to desist from it and headed to the king's palace.

 

While addressing the grieved women, the AKU-UKA of  Kwararafa Kingdom, HRM. Manu Ishaku comforted the women. Stressing that he is not aware of the happenings except one which was reported to him.

 

The monarch promised to take an urgent step that will bring an end to this evil act as he will soon host a critical security meeting. The King however urged all parents to be watchful of their children.

The  Chairman Wukari Local Government Council , Daniel Adi Grace noted  that some children have been declared missing in the past few weeks.

He stressed that security operatives are proactive about the situation and that efforts to crack down on the perpetrators are underway.

A local security expert, Aminu Saleh  however called for beefed up securities around school while urging parents to teach their children security tips on how to relate with strangers.

   "its becoming a major source of concern because the raise in Child theft is alarming, its also more common in the rural communities. Schools and parents must be on red alert, they must sensitize their wards on how to relate with strangers and keep a very vigilant eyes on their children."