Anambra Police Rescue Two Missing Children After Nine Months of Nationwide Search

The Anambra State Police Command has rescued two children who were reported missing nine months ago, following an investigation that extended to several states across Nigeria.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the victims, Sunday Aliya, aged 14, and Ebenezer Emmanuel, aged 12, disappeared on January 18, 2025, after their guardian sent them to fetch water from a borehole in Fegge, Onitsha. When they failed to return, the matter was reported at the Fegge Police Station and later transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Awka for further investigation.

Ikenga said operatives attached to the Gender Section of the department traced and arrested a suspect identified as Yusuf in Katsina State. During questioning, the suspect provided information that led detectives to Umunede in Delta State, where one of the children, Sunday Aliya, was found. Further investigation resulted in the rescue of the second child, Ebenezer Emmanuel, in Benin City, Edo State.

The Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu, commended the officers involved for what he described as a thorough and determined investigation. He said the command would continue to pursue all credible leads in cases of this nature to ensure the safety of residents. He also acknowledged the role of members of the public whose information assisted the police in locating the victims.

According to the command, the parents of the rescued children, who live in Ilorin, Kwara State, have been contacted, and arrangements are being made for their reunion.