Malam Bala Abubakar, recently arrested in Sokoto State for his involvement in child abduction and human trafficking, was once seen as a pillar of support for orphans in his community.
According to the Sokoto State Police Command, Abubakar sold 28 children, including six of his own sons, to Elizabeth Oja and Kulu Dogonyaro, both residents of Abuja, for amounts ranging from N150,000 to N250,000.
Abubakar, a resident of the Tudun Wada area in Sokoto LGA, ran an organization purportedly aiding orphans. This made him a trusted figure among widows seeking assistance for their orphaned children.
A resident of Tudun Wada, speaking anonymously to the Daily Trust, expressed shock at the revelations.
“I know Bala has an organization that caters to orphans. He used to seek support for them from politicians and wealthy individuals. Many widows went to him for help,” the resident said.
“Nobody knew he was involved in trafficking until he was paraded by the police along with other suspects. Our prayer is that the police investigate further to rescue all the victims.”
The police apprehended Abubakar and his accomplices after Mrs. Dogonyaro and Mrs. Oja were arrested on April 27, 2024, in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
They were found traveling with five children, including a 2-week-old baby, when other passengers noticed the infants were being fed powdered milk instead of breastfeeding.
The driver, suspecting foul play, drove to the nearest police station upon reaching Abuja. The suspects claimed the children were voluntarily given to them by their parents in Sokoto for better care by an NGO in Abuja.
However, police investigations revealed that Mrs. Dogonyaro had lived in Sokoto for over 20 years and had deceived the mothers, all widows, into parting with their children under the pretense of providing them with better opportunities.
Further investigations led to the rescue of 15 more children from other states and the arrest of two additional suspects, all of whom claimed to have received the children through Mrs. Dogonyaro.
In total, 20 rescued children were handed over to the Sokoto State orphanage, and 10 suspects were arrested.
In his defense, Abubakar denied the allegations, insisting the children were willingly given up by their mothers for a better life.
“I am not a trafficker or kidnapper. I know Mrs. Dogonyaro through a friend who was the personal assistant to the former commissioner of Social Welfare,” he said.
“One day, a mentally unstable woman abandoned her two children in our area. We took them to our village head, who involved the director of Social Welfare. That’s how I met Isa, who kept urging me to hand such children to Kulu Dogonyaro for proper care. Since then, I have been bringing orphans to her, but I did not collect anything from her.”
Abubakar admitted to handing over his six biological children to Dogonyaro but maintained he did not receive any payment.
Mrs. Elizabeth Oja also claimed ignorance of any wrongdoing, stating she was unaware the children were abducted.
“I have known Kulu Dogonyaro for over 20 years. When she asked me to help take the five children to Abuja, she said they were orphans needing care from an organization there. I couldn’t refuse her request as we have been friends for a long time,” she explained.
The investigation continues as authorities work to uncover the full extent of the trafficking network and ensure the safety and well-being of all affected children.
