Governor Inuwa Yahaya has disclosed that there are reports of 48 missing children in Gombe State, amid escalating worries about child abduction incidents in the area.
The governor made this announcement on Friday while inaugurating the distribution of Ramadan palliatives in Gombe. He did not provide specific details regarding the timeline of the children's disappearance but indicated uncertainty about their safe return.
According to Yahaya, the latest records indicate that 48 children, aged between two and five years, have been reported taken from the state and trafficked to undisclosed locations.
"Their parents are present in the state; however, we are uncertain about the potential recovery of the children," he remarked.
He also highlighted a recent case at Orji Estate, where a child was abducted shortly after the lifting of motorcycle restrictions, although the child was subsequently recovered.
The governor emphasized that security is a collective responsibility and called on the citizens to back measures implemented to ensure the safety of lives and assets, even when those measures may not be popular.
Yahaya pointed out that some citizens have voiced opposition to certain restrictions, including the prohibition on metal scrap trading, claiming it hampers their incomes. Nonetheless, he upheld that such policies are necessary to combat security threats, including vandalism and motorcycle theft.
He expressed concern over the vandalism of critical infrastructure, citing damage to railways and other public assets. Furthermore, he revealed that suspected vandals have targeted the N26 billion Muhammadu Buhari Industrial Park, and tampering incidents related to the Dadin Kowa Dam’s electrical systems have been reported.
"We must implement serious measures to combat these emerging threats and restore peace," he stated.
On the Ramadan intervention initiative, Yahaya announced that 70,000 vulnerable residents throughout the state will benefit from the program. This distribution is aimed at supporting individuals living with disabilities, religious organizations, orphanages, party support structures, and other disadvantaged community members.
He instructed the Palliative Distribution Committee to guarantee transparency and fairness, specifying that food items, including rice, macaroni, spaghetti, cooking oil, and sugar, should be distributed within three days.
The governor reiterated the significance of collaborative efforts to enhance peace and stability across the state.
Comments (0)
You must be logged in to comment.
Be the first to comment on this article!