The abductor, Mercy Paul, who managed to flee following her capture over the abduction of multiple Kano children and their sale in Anambra State, has been recaptured by the Department of State Security and the Kano Correctional Facility in Kano state.
Mercy Paul was detained alongside others for purportedly abducting numerous Kano children and trafficking them in Anambra State sometime in the year 2019.
However, on the 31st of January 2020, it was reported that Mercy Paul had escaped from a medical facility where she had been taken for care after falling unwell at the Kano Kurmawa Correctional Centre while awaiting trial.
The Comptroller of the Kano Correctional Centre, Ahmad Abdullahi Magaji, informed journalists that on the 31st of January, at approximately 12:05 PM, he was alerted to the fact that Mercy had escaped from the custody of officers who had transported her to Murtala Muhammad Hospital for treatment.
Magaji stated that upon hearing of Mercy’s escape, he promptly visited the location where he conducted an investigation and discovered that the perpetrator was bleeding and she had asked to use the restroom, which allowed her to elude capture and flee.
“Immediately after recognizing such an unfortunate occurrence, we organized a stop-and-search operation by sealing off all entrances of Kano in collaboration with the DSS.”
He mentioned that the DSS assisted them in locating her on Monday, 17th February 2020, from her hiding spot, and she was brought to the hospital by the Department of State Security where she received all necessary medical care to aid in her full recovery.
The Comptroller praised Governor Ganduje for fostering cooperation among security officials in Kano and also commended the DSS and other security organizations for helping to apprehend the fugitive child abduction suspect.
He remarked, “If an individual escapes from our custody, an investigation will ensue, and if it is determined to be negligence on the part of our officers, it will lead to immediate dismissal; and if it is found to be gross misconduct, aiding and abetting, or conspiracy, that individual will face dismissal as well as the consequences of the law.”
The Comptroller assured that with the full backing of their Comptroller General, Alhaji Jaafaru Ahmad, and President Muhammadu Buhari, they have their own well-equipped clinic for patient care.
