CSOs Demand Answers After Four-Year-Old Ayman Abubakar's Tragic Passing in Sokoto

 

The heart of Sokoto State, and indeed the nation, is heavy with grief and a resounding demand for justice following the devastating abduction and passing of four-year-old Ayman Abubakar. A coalition of civil society organizations (CSOs) has now stepped forward, describing the incident as a stark and painful warning of the profound threats facing children across Nigeria.

At a press conference held on Saturday, May 24, 2025, at the American Corner in Sokoto, leaders from the Network Against Child Trafficking, Abuse and Labour (NACTAL), the Child Protection Network (CPN), and the Sokoto Response Team on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence/Child Protection united their voices. They demanded urgent and transparent action to ensure child safety and hold those responsible accountable.

"This is a horrific violation of a child’s rights and a tragic reminder of the growing dangers facing Nigerian children,” read a joint statement signed by their respective leaders. "We stand in solidarity with the family and with every Nigerian parent grieving a child lost to violence. No parent should ever have to endure such a brutal loss.”

While welcoming the reopening of the investigation by the Sokoto State Police Command, the groups stressed the critical need for speed and transparency. They outlined concrete demands: a thorough investigation into Ayman’s disappearance and passing, the swift arrest and prosecution of all involved, regular public updates, and crucially, the strengthening of child protection systems and safety measures across schools, places of worship, and communities nationwide.

Ayman’s father, Dr. Abubakar Hamzat, present at the event, spoke with profound pain but emphasized the unwavering importance of accountability for his son. He appealed to CSOs and the media to amplify their cause, ensuring Ayman’s story sparks tangible change.

Dr. Hamzat recounted the agonizing details of his son's disappearance: Ayman vanished on March 29, the day before Sallah, shortly after attending prayers at a local mosque. A neighbor's child last saw Ayman playing before he was reportedly taken away in a car by some men. More than seven weeks later, on May 15, Ayman’s body was discovered. The same child who last saw Ayman has reportedly identified the vehicle used in the abduction.

As the police investigation continues with several suspects in custody and an autopsy report pending, the coalition has pledged to closely monitor the case, asserting that justice for Ayman represents justice for all Nigerian children.