“Igbos Are Kidnapping Your Children Because You Are Careless” – Emir Sanusi To Northern Parents

Emir of Kano, Muhamadu Sanusi II has rebuked some parents in the state over their care-free attitude to their children, insisting that the parents of the nine abducted children ought to have been prosecuted for their act of negligence.

KanyiDaily had reported that nine children were kidnapped in Kano and taken to Onitsha in Anambra State where they were sold.

Speaking at a public lecture on drug abuse, which was organized by the League for Societal Protection Against Drug Abuse over the weekend, Emir Sanusi condemned the abduction of the children.

The emir, however, berated the parents of the abducted children, stressing that their abduction would not have been possible if the affected parents had not allowed the children in the streets without a guardian.

Sanusi observed that they are always in the habit of blaming other people for their problems when they should have also blamed themselves.

He assured his audience that he was in contact with the Obi of Onitsha adding that they had held a lot of useful discussions on the issue. Emir Sanusi said:

“On the issue of abducted Kano children, I have been speaking with Obi of Onitsha on the issue. We are keeping track on the issue.

“We heard all manner of outrage against the Igbos that our children were stolen. Did the Igbo kidnappers enter into your house to abduct the child? Or, did you allow your child to roam in the street aimlessly?

“We must tell ourselves the truth. When the first parents reported the case of their missing children to me, I said, had I got the powers I have sent the parents to jail.

“I even directed that the commissioner of police should be asked if we have any law called criminal negligence. Don’t we have such a law? Whoever comes to report abduction of his 4-year-old child while playing deserves to be jailed. Criminal negligence!

“Hausa man must change his thinking. We will always apportion blame on Igbos, Yoruba, when it is actually our fault.

“Now, make attempt to abduct a child in Onitsha and see if you will find one available. Is this not true? Do they leave their 3 to 4-year-old children roaming in the street begging?

“If you can’t feed your family, don’t send your child to beg on your behalf. If we continue to live in self-denial, we will live to cry, shifting blame.

“I am not saying others are not guilty, I know tomorrow people will start saying I am blaming parents for abduction of their children. I know my statement is always misconstrued. I did not say they are not guilty, but Hausa man himself observed in a proverb that ‘if the fly is stubborn, the candy is sweet.”

Sanusi, therefore, enjoined parents to always pay attention to the wellbeing of their children.