The Deception in Jalingo

What began as an ordinary morning in a residential compound in Jalingo, Taraba State, turned into a nightmare for three families when two women who had reportedly rented a room in the neighbourhood allegedly lured three little girls away from their mothers under the guise of taking them to the market.

The children—Ummul Shuaibu, Ummul Baba Gasal, and Amina Abubakar, all aged between five and six—were allegedly taken away on Thursday morning. The two suspects had reportedly stayed in the compound for about two weeks before making their move, establishing a sense of familiarity with the residents.

Interception and Arrest

What the alleged traffickers may have planned as a journey out of Taraba was brought to an abrupt end after a commercial vehicle driver became suspicious of the women travelling with the three children. The driver noticed that the girls did not look like the women accompanying them and alerted members of his union.

The union members subsequently contacted the police, leading to the arrest of the two women at a filling station. The suspects, who were reportedly travelling towards Adamawa State with the children, were apprehended before they could reach their destination. The quick thinking of the driver is credited with preventing the girls from being taken into unfamiliar territory.

Exploiting Communal Trust

According to information gathered, the two suspects, said to be from one of the South-East states and both single, had rented a room in the same house where the parents of the three girls lived. For about two weeks, their presence became familiar enough within the compound for the mothers to accept their request to take the girls to the market.

Instead of heading to the market, the women allegedly took the girls to a motor park in Jalingo, where they reportedly chartered a vehicle to convey them to Adamawa State. It was during this journey that the driver's intervention changed the course of events. At the police station, the suspects allegedly admitted taking the girls away after deceiving their mothers.

Recovery and Parental Lessons

Abubakar Kwalli, father of one of the girls, stated that the parents were invited to the Taraba State Police Command headquarters after the children had been recovered. He described the moment of seeing the girls again as both shocking and emotional for the families involved.

We were surprised to see our children at the police headquarters. We were asked to identify them, which we did, but we were directed to bring our wives to further identify the children before they would be released to us.

— Abubakar Kwalli, Father of one of the girls, Taraba Resident

The incident serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of vigilance. The recovery of Ummul Shuaibu, Ummul Baba Gasal, and Amina Abubakar highlights that danger can sometimes come from those who first make themselves part of the community, exploiting daily routines to carry out sinister motives.