The 145 abducted children, who were intercepted by the Police in Plateau State, did not eat for six days, according to Rufina Gurumyen, the Plateau State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development.
The News Agency of Nigeria quoted Terna Tyopev, the Plateau State Police Command spokesman, as saying that the children, aged between four and eight, were being moved from Jigawa and Bauchi States to Plateau, Kaduna and Nasarawa States.
According to Tyopev, they were being moved in two trucks to unknown destinations, when the police intercepted the vehicles.
The Commissioner, who spoke on the minors at an advocacy visit by Community Based Development, a Non-Governmental Organisation, to her office on Tuesday in Jos, described the abduction as “very sad”.
Gurumyen said that the Police had commenced investigation into the matter.
She said: “It is pathetic that the more than 145 children were on transit to an unknown destination for six days without food or even having their baths.
“My ministry was immediately called upon after the recovery, and we are making enquiries to ensure appropriate action.”
The government official commended the fervent efforts of the NGO toward reducing the cases of Gender-Based Violence cases and expressed government’s readiness to support such efforts.
Gurumyen called on women groups and NGOs to shore up efforts to sensitise and create awareness amongst women on self-value so as to break the norm of silence.
In her remarks Vou Shom, the Coordinator of CBD, commended the ministry for ensuring that the Gender Equality Law was at the State Assembly for further actions.
Shom said that the law would further reduce the number of cases of Gender-Based Violence, especially wife battering, child rape and psychological torture.
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