In an emotional appeal, one mother broke down in tears, recounting the pain of losing her only son.
Parents of children who went missing during the August #EndBadGovernance protests are urgently seeking help from the Federal and Kano State governments to locate their loved ones.
This heartfelt plea comes after the federal government announced the pardon and release of minors who were detained during the protests
In an emotional appeal, one mother broke down in tears, recounting the pain of losing her only son.
“He’s the only child living with me,” she told Channels TV.
“He went out on the day of the protest, and since then, he hasn’t returned. We have searched everywhere, including all the correctional centres in Kano, but we couldn’t find my son.”
Another parent, whose child also went missing, said, “He left us on the day of the protest to go to the market, but he hasn’t returned since. We were hoping he was among those arrested, but he isn’t.”
A source close to some of the parents of the missing children told SaharaReporters that many children have been missing since August, when the protest was held.
The families of the missing children, grappling with immense anxiety and uncertainty, are imploring the Kano State Government to demonstrate the same level of concern and compassion shown to detained minors by intensifying efforts to locate their missing loved ones.
Meanwhile, representatives from civil society organisations have shed light on the heartbreaking stories of these missing children, vehemently urging the government to take swift and decisive action.
The Chairman of the National Patriotic Citizens, AbdulMajid Yakubu, stated, "We believe it is crucial for a responsive and responsible government to address this issue. The authorities must investigate the whereabouts of these children and provide compensation to the affected families as appropriate."
Also, the Chairperson of the National Council for Child Rights, Aisha Haruna, expressed concern over the government's lack of awareness regarding the missing children.
"It is disheartening that the government seems unaware that some children are missing. It was only after the parents raised the alarm that they realised their children are not among those pardoned by the Federal Government," Haruna explained.
Additionally, she noted that some parents face challenges in communication, including lacking access to phone numbers, which may have exacerbated the confusion and difficulties in locating their missing children.
"This is why some parents mistakenly believed their children were among the freed minors," she noted.
Speaking to journalists, the Chief of Staff to the Kano Governor, Shehu Sagagi, urged parents to submit their complaints to the committee of inquiry set up by the governor.
"Any parent whose child is missing can file a petition and reach out to this commission, and they will prepare a report. The state government, I’m sure, will not relent in its efforts to ensure these missing children are identified,” Sagagi said.
"And whoever is responsible will be held accountable.”
The #EndBadGovernance protest, a youth-driven movement advocating for accountability and improved governance in Nigeria, sparked massive demonstrations nationwide.
Although some participants were arrested, the whereabouts of others remain a mystery, leaving their families in a state of distress.
Fortunately, there have been some positive developments. Recently, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State successfully welcomed the release of 76 teenagers who were detained during the protests. Additionally, a Federal High Court in Abuja discharged and acquitted scores of teenagers from Kano State who were arrested in connection with the protests.
Despite these breakthroughs, the search for missing teenagers continues, and their families remain hopeful for justice and their safe return.