Missing 4-Year-Old Found Safe By Police In Abuja.
A four-year-old child, Hope Evans, who was declared missing in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has been safely rescued by police operatives in Abuja.
Spokeswoman for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command, SP Josephine Adeh, confirmed the development on Saturday. She disclosed that the child had been reported missing by his mother, Ms Lydia Jonah Gabriel, on 31 October 2024.
Incident Details
The child disappeared after being lured away from his primary school in Azube, Port Harcourt, by a suspect identified as Blessing Okoi. According to SP Adeh, the suspect enticed the child with biscuits and eggs, managing to leave the school premises unnoticed.
The alarm was raised when Hope failed to return home later that evening. Upon investigation, the family learned that the suspect, locally known as “Destiny’s mum,” had fled her residence the same night.
The case was initially reported to the Trans Amadi Police Station before being transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Port Harcourt. Suspecting the suspect had escaped to Abuja, the victim’s mother’s sister lodged a report at the FCT Police Command.
Rescue Operation
FCT Police Commissioner CP Olatunji Disu promptly ordered an investigation. The suspect’s movements were traced to Maraba, an Abuja suburb, where she was arrested on 29 November.
SP Adeh revealed that the suspect initially claimed to be the child’s mother, but her inconsistent statements failed to align with information from Hope’s family.
Hope Evans was rescued at around 8pm on the day of the suspect’s arrest and reunited with his mother, who travelled to Abuja on 6 November.
The suspect, Blessing Okoi, remains in police custody for further questioning. The authorities have reassured the public of their commitment to ensuring justice and safeguarding vulnerable individuals.
This successful operation underscores the diligence and cooperation of law enforcement in addressing cases of child abduction.
