- The Hisbah Board hopes the operation will highlight the plight of street children
The Commander-General of the Kano State Hisbah Board, Aminu Daurawa, has revealed that no parent has claimed responsibility for 250 children rescued from the streets of Kano metropolis.
In a recent video, the Islamic scholar detailed how Hisbah officers picked up over 230 children, most under 15 years old, wandering in markets, railway stations, motor parks, and under bridges. He noted that the children were born and raised in public spaces.
“This is just the beginning. We’ve identified around 5,000 such children, but we could only rescue 230 due to space limitations,” Daurawa said, adding that four children died due to harsh weather and poor living conditions before they could be rescued.
The operation, which took place between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m., involved consultations with community leaders in the affected areas. Daurawa disclosed that some of the children were found sleeping in football viewing centres where they paid for shelter.
Reacting to the development, Bashir Ahmad, a former presidential aide, described the situation as “heartbreaking.”
“It’s distressing that despite the children being housed and receiving medical care, no parents have come forward to reclaim them. This initiative by the Kano State Government is commendable, but it should spark broader discussions on addressing this issue collectively,” Ahmad said.
The Hisbah Board hopes the operation will highlight the plight of street children and encourage collaborative efforts to address the growing problem of child abandonment in Kano.