The Katsina State Government has taken custody of Rahama Sanusi, a 13-year-old girl rescued from a suspected human trafficker by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and the Katsina State Ministry of Women Affairs.

While receiving Rahama on Tuesday, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hon. Hadiza Yar’adua, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to working with UNICEF, NAPTIP, and other agencies to combat child trafficking and reduce the number of out-of-school children in the state.

Yar’adua emphasized the need for parents to take primary responsibility for their children’s well-being rather than relying excessively on relatives. She noted that Rahama had been living in Kano State for seven years under the care of her deceased mother’s sister before being trafficked due to alleged negligence.

“This is just one of a thousand cases we have successfully tackled. There are many more vulnerable children at risk,” Yar’adua said. “With the support of the governor, the justice system, and agencies like NAPTIP, we are committed to protecting our children.”

The commissioner also revealed that the Ministry of Women Affairs was alerted about Rahama’s abduction through a social media post on February 16. Prompt action led to her rescue in Makurdi, Benue State, where the suspect was found with her.

Rahama’s father, Sanusi Ahmed, expressed gratitude to the government and NAPTIP, revealing that he had struggled for months to bring his daughter home. “Even before this incident, I kept trying to contact Rahama, but her caregiver was uncooperative. Now that my daughter is back, I am grateful to everyone involved in her rescue,” he said.

Ahmed urged parents to remain actively involved in their children’s lives, regardless of financial difficulties, to prevent similar incidents.

The Katsina State Government has vowed to prosecute the suspect involved in Rahama’s trafficking while strengthening measures to protect vulnerable children across the state.