Governor Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State has revealed that 48 children, aged two to five years, have been reported missing amid growing concerns over child abduction. The governor made this disclosure on Friday during the inauguration of the Ramadan palliatives distribution program. He did not specify when the children went missing and said it is uncertain whether they will be found.
The governor cited a recent incident at Orji Estate, where a child was abducted following the relaxation of a motorcycle restriction but was later rescued. Yahaya stressed that security is a shared responsibility and urged residents to support measures designed to protect lives and property, even if such policies are unpopular.
He noted that some residents opposed security restrictions, including a ban on metal scrap trading, claiming it affected their livelihoods. Nevertheless, he insisted that these policies aim to combat threats such as vandalism and motorcycle theft. The governor also expressed concern over the destruction of public infrastructure, including rail lines, and disclosed that the N26 billion Muhammadu Buhari Industrial Park has been targeted by vandals, with electrical installations linked to Dadin Kowa Dam reportedly tampered with.
On the Ramadan intervention program, Yahaya stated that 70,000 vulnerable residents would benefit, including persons living with disabilities, orphanages, religious groups, and other disadvantaged members of society. He instructed the Palliative Distribution Committee to ensure transparency and fairness, with items like rice, macaroni, spaghetti, cooking oil, and sugar to be distributed within three days.
The governor concluded by calling for collective efforts to strengthen peace and stability across the state.
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