Kidnapping Of Children On The Rise In Abia

The police In Abia, South West Nigeria, says there is a resurgence of kidnapping of babies and children.

The Police Command in Abia has alerted the public on the resurgence of kidnapping of new born babies and children by gunmen in the state. The command’s acting spokesman, Jonathan Amaechi, gave the warning in an interview in Umuahia on Wednesday. Mr. Amaechi said that the police is currently investigating cases of abduction of children in different parts of the state. “Recent intelligence reports showed the presence of hoodlums that specialise in stealing new born babies and children. “Such victims are either on errand in markets, going to or returning from school or church,’’ he said.

Mr. Amaechi said that the criminals operate in buses, tricycles, motorcycles, posh cats and fanciful jeeps. He said that the command is investigating a recent abduction of a new born baby from its parents at gunpoint in Umuahia. He said that two sisters were abducted on their way to school at Akporoachara in Umunneochi Local Government Area of the state. He said that the incident occurred about 7.15 a.m. on January 15, adding that their whereabouts was yet to be ascertained. “They were kidnapped on their way to school and have not been seen since then,” he said, adding that the abductors had not established contact with the parents of their victims.

The command’s spokesman, however, could not confirm whether the abduction was for ransom or ritual purposes, and advised parents and the general public to be wary of strangers in their neighbourhood. “Security is not only the preserve of security agencies alone; everybody is a stakeholder in the fight against criminality,” he said. He described hawkers as most vulnerable and admonished parents and guardians against sending their children and wards to hawk. Mr. Amaechi warned the public against accepting lifts from unknown motorists.

Source: Legit.ng