We are relieved that eight of the 16 children who were seized from the Du Merci centres for vulnerable children in 2019 were released in August. However, this came after one of the girls began experiencing mental health challenges which the orphanage staff could no longer address.

CSW was informed that the girl exhibited odd behaviour, began speaking to herself, and had persistently challenged officials at the orphanage – constantly demanding to return ‘home’ and attempting to leave with her belongings. On 12 August, she managed to leave the premises and reach the Du Merci office in Kano, but was obliged to return.

The eight older children were released the next day, and on 14 August they joined the Tarfas in their home in Plateau State. At the time of writing, the eight younger children remain in the custody of the Kano State government, pending a court ruling on their fate.

It is deeply disturbing that the Kano State authorities continue to defy the High Court order for their release. The absence of their elder siblings leaves them incredibly vulnerable.

Professor Solomon and Mrs Mercy Tarfa said:

‘We are grateful that some of the children have now been released, and we appreciate the efforts of our lawyer in securing their freedom. However, we still have concerns about the welfare and safety of the remaining children, and we will continue to advocate for their rights and well-being.’

At a glance:

• Professor Solomon and Mrs Mercy Tarfa are the co-founders of the Du Merci Centres in Kano and Kaduna for vulnerable Christian children.
• On Christmas Day 2019, armed police stormed the Du Merci centre in Kano. Professor Tarfa was detained on false accusations of illegally operating the orphanage and abducting children. A similar raid on the centre in Kaduna took place on 31 December. 
• 27 children were seized from the Du Merci centres. They were forcibly relocated to a government-run home in Kano City, where reports soon emerged of their maltreatment. The older children were later released, leaving 16 in the orphanage.
• Professor Tarfa was acquitted of the abduction charges in 2021, but the children were still not returned.
• In June 2021, the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention concluded that the professor and the 16 children were being held arbitrarily.
• In 2022 the professor was unjustly convicted of forgery, and jailed for two years. Professor Tarfa was finally released from prison in January 2023, acquitted of the unfounded forgery charge.
• In 2025 the Kano State High ruled that all of the children should be formally returned to the Tarfas on or before 19 March 2025. Having previously agreed to it, the Kano State authorities are now challenging this ruling.

‘We urge the Kano State government to end their trauma by returning them to the Tarfas without further delay.’

Scot Bower, CEO