Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has explained that his administration has not yet set up the ‘powerful committee’ to probe the abduction of nine Kano children by a gang of six Igbo kidnappers because, the government is searching for capable people to lead the committee.

Kano Focus reports that the Kano Police Command had rescued nine missing children and paraded six Igbo persons who have confessed to abducting the kids, renaming and forcefully converting them to Christianity before selling them in Onitsha, Anambra state.

Mr Ganduje had promised to set up a committee to probe the abductions as well as ensure that the culprits are punished.

The governor, through a statement by Abba Anwar, his chief press secretary, had said the probe panel would study the root cause of the abductions in order to prevent recurrence.

“We are coming up with a powerful committee that will critically look at this disturbing scenario, with the view to seeing to the root cause and avert re-occurance. This and similar crimes must be stopped,” he had warned.

Mr Ganduje had also pledged to invite parents of the rescued kids for “further discussion and relationship”.

“Government will invite the parents of those rescued from the alleged kidnappers for further discussion and relationship. While at the same we are seriously working with the security agencies to unearth similar cases. No stone will be un-turned,” he added.

However, one week later, the governor has not raised the much-waited panel.

But speaking to Kano Focus in a phone interview, Mr Anwar said the government “is in the process of forming the committee”.

“You know the government needs to search for the right people that can effectively lead the committee. This is what we are doing currently,” he said.

Mr Ganduje has also promised “a special arrangement for the rescued kids during a special meeting with them and their families at a date to be communicated to their parents soon,” according Alhaji Usman Alhaji, secretary to the state government.