Many of the Bureau De Change (BDC) operators the Federal Government claimed have links with Boko Haram, have been detained for more than 11 months, without trial.
They have also been held without being allowed access to their family members.
Wives and family members of the 45 Kano-based BDC operators have now taken their case to the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero.
They want the federal government to release their sons, husbands and fathers or take them to the court, according to a report by Daily Trust.
They lamented that the absence of their breadwinners had continued to take a toll on their families.
The seek the emirate’s intervention.
After a listening session, the emir directed a delegation of five among the about 50 women and a few boys to file a proper written complaint with the promise to extend intervention.
Although the families of the BDC operators said 45 of them are being held, the Federal Government announced it arrested 33 of them.
Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed said the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) identified the involvement of about 123 companies and 33 Bureau de Change in the terror finance.
The NFIU, he said also identified 96 financiers of terrorism and 424 associates/supporters of the financiers in Nigeria in 2020 and 2021.
The BDCs are accused of facilitating the transfer of money to Boko Haram terrorists.
Some of them were traders at the foreign exchange open market in Wapa, Fagge Local Government of Kano State, Daily Trust said.
Prominent among the BDC operators arrested in the state are: Baba Usaini, Abubakar Yellow (Amfani), Yusuf Ali Yusuf (Babangida), Ibrahim Shani, Auwal Fagge and Muhammad Lawan Sani (a gold dealer).
Halima Jibrin Garo, whose husband is among those arrested, lamented that since they were picked up by the security agents, there had been no sign of their whereabouts.
“Our children have stopped going to school because of the financial crisis we are in. To feed is a problem. Those who are extending a helping hand are tired. Their own issues alone are enough.
“My husband left me with a month-old pregnancy, now I have delivered a four-month-old baby and his father is not even aware.
“Among us is a woman who also gave birth to twins and many of us who underwent operations.
“We are appealing to the government to please come to our aid. We are really suffering.
“We are here today to cry out to our father and leader, the emir of Kano, to please intervene and come to our aid. They should please look at the situation of the little children with us. Most of them have stopped going to school.”
Nasiba Gwani Lawi, whose husband, Mansur Muhammad Usman, and brother-in-law, Yazid Muhammad Usman, are among those in custody, said she had not heard from the two since they were re-invited.
“They (the brothers) were invited at first and later cleared that they have no issue in the case but later were invited again. Since then, we have not heard about them or know their whereabouts.
“We followed up to Abuja; they said we will see them at court but all to no avail. We have contacted several authorities but nothing positive.
“Our major concern is to know their fates as we are in the dark. Let them be brought out to the court. If they are guilty let them be charged, if they are not, they should be freed.”
The mother of Abdulrahman Dukawa, one of those in custody, also lamented how the authorities keep lying to them.
“One of his daughters is even dead and he is not aware. Another is currently sick.
“Honestly, the way we are being treated is our major concern. Let them bring them out so they can face the law and at least, we know they are alive, hale and hearty.”
Zannira Uwaisu is the wife of Auwalu Ali Alhassan, who is also in custody. She said her husband was invited along with his three brothers.
“My mother-in-law is now bedridden as a result of her four sons in this dilemma.
“My co-wife has nine children, she is also bedridden. They should please come to our aid. Our 16 children are here with us; we are suffering. They are no longer going to school.”
