The three abducted children from the same family in Abia State, who were rescued in Anambra and Delta States respectively, have been presented to Governor Alex Otti.
The Governor used this opportunity to emphasize the importance of parental responsibility, urging parents to ensure the security of their children.
The children, Gideon (8), Divine (6), and Israel (4), were abducted on May 10, 2024, while returning home from school in Ikwuano. They had stopped at their grandmother’s house, where she arranged for a motorcyclist to take them home. Instead, the motorcyclist absconded with the children.
After an intense manhunt, two of the children were rescued in Anambra State after about three weeks, and the third was rescued last week in Delta State. The Abia State Police Public Relations Officer, Moureen Chinaka, confirmed that four suspects have been taken into custody in connection with the abduction.
Governor Otti, receiving the children alongside their parents and community leaders at his residence in Umuehim, Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area, expressed gratitude to God and all those involved in securing the children’s release. He highlighted the importance of parental vigilance in ensuring children’s safety.
“I want to admonish parents to be more careful because this was avoidable. First of all, you should not hand over your children to people you do not know, be they Keke or Okada riders. There is nothing you’re doing that is more important than looking after your children. That is my word to parents, grandparents, and everyone responsible for the care of any Abia child. It is very, very important that we take their security, comfort, and safety very seriously. A lot of lessons have been learned from this, and I believe we shouldn’t let this kind of thing repeat itself,” Otti stated.
