Kano 9 abduction is criminal NOT ethnic, says Onitsha traditional council

The Onitsha traditional council has condemned the abduction of
nine Kano children found in Anambra state.

The Kano police command had announced the arrest of eight
suspects who trafficked the minors.

Reacting to the incident in a statement, the traditional council
said the criminal act was perpetrated for commercial purposes
without religious or ethnic connotation.

“From all indications, these are criminal acts perpetrated by
individuals for commercial purposes without any religious, ethnic
or social connotation whatsoever,” the statement said.

The council said Nnaemeka Achebe, the obi of Onitsha, is “in
full contact on the matter” with Muhammadu Sanusi II, the emir of
Kano.

Some Igbo leaders in Kano had also asked the police to deal with
the suspects in accordance with the law.

Ebenezer Chima, president-general, Igbo Community Association in
Kano, and Boniface Ibekwe, Sarki Ndigbo, condemned the criminal
act.

“We are recommending stiff penalty for the culprits to serve as
a deterrent to others who may be nursing ambition for such
nefarious act,” the statement read.

“The leadership, therefore, enjoined Igbos in Kano to remain
law-abiding and go about their legitimate businesses without fear
of molestation.”

Also, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) had asked for calm over
the issue. The group said the incident should not cause animosity
between Christians and Muslims.

Ishaq Akintola, its director, described the abduction as
“reprehensible” and asked Christians to expose the “bad eggs” among
them.