How a Customer Allegedly Abducted Seven-Year-Old Daughter of Ogun PoS Operator

The disappearance of a seven-year-old girl, Mercy Akande, in Sango Ota, Ogun State, has left her family and the community in distress. The incident occurred on Monday near her mother’s Point of Sale (PoS) terminal, where she operates her business.

According to eyewitness accounts, an unidentified male customer, who was a regular at the PoS shop, had grown familiar with the girl. On the day of the incident, he reportedly bought food for Mercy and later sent her to purchase a sachet of water. When she returned, the man intercepted her on the way to collect the water. Mercy’s mother, who briefly noticed the interaction, became distracted by other customers. Moments later, both the man and the child were nowhere to be found.

The victim’s nephew, identified as Jude, described the events leading up to the abduction. He stated that the man frequently visited the shop to withdraw money and buy recharge cards, often gifting the child food and money during his visits. On the morning of December 23, the man repeated his routine before sending Mercy on the errand that led to her disappearance.

Jude explained that calls to the suspect’s phone went unanswered, and the line was eventually unreachable. The family has since reported the case to the nearest police station, but their efforts to seek assistance have been met with challenges.

Through a social media post, the girl’s cousin, who goes by the handle Miyakee, shared the ordeal. He revealed that police officials requested a N10,000 fee to file the report and an additional N30,000 to track the suspect’s phone number. The mother has reportedly paid part of the initial amount and incurred other expenses, including the cost of obtaining photos of the missing girl. Efforts to secure a court affidavit, a prerequisite for tracking the phone number, have been delayed due to the holiday season.

The family has expressed frustration over the lack of progress, while the state’s Police Public Relations Officer, Omolola Odutola, has yet to comment on the matter. Calls and messages to her phone have gone unanswered.