11th April, 2024
The Ebonyi State Police Command says it has rescued six children from their kidnappers and arrested a notorious leader of a kidnap syndicate.
A statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Joshua Ukandu, disclosed this.
It said: “On January 21, 2024, one Nkwuda Francis reported to the command that a woman, identified as Mercy Francis, parading herself as a youth corps member, had kidnapped two young children from his house in Nwezenyi Igbeagu, Izzi LGA of Ebonyi State after she rented a room in the compound.
According to the statement the woman was later identified as Ngozi Blessing Abia.
It said: “Following a diligent investigation by officers attached to the Gender Unit of the Command, the suspect was located at Oba, Anambra State, where the children were rescued and returned to their family”.
The statement further said one Mrs. Lovina Iwuorah and Mrs.Ndifereke Wisdom Clement, whose children were abducted in Ohaozara LGA of the State, identified Abia as being involved in the disappearance of their three children, aged between one and three-year-old.
“The investigation led officers to Benin City, where the children were found in an orphanage. The proprietor of the orphanage has been detained and is providing valuable information to the Police,” the statement said.
The statement advised ” property owners and caretakers to thoroughly screen potential tenants and urges parents to educate their children about safety and stranger interactions”.