Three Children Abducted by Women Posing as Prospective Tenants

Three children were abducted from their homes in Nkwagu Village, opposite the Nkwagu Military Cantonment, in Abakaliki Local Government Area on Saturday morning, February 7, 2026. The incident involved three unidentified women who reportedly posed as prospective tenants.

According to one of the victims, Mrs. Happiness Ofunna Gladys, the women arrived at the compound the previous night and were allowed to spend the night in a vacant room after discussing arrangements with the landlord.

“I went to the market early that morning and received a distress call that my two children had been taken,” she said. “When I returned, neighbours told me the same women who spent the night in our compound were responsible. My children are very young, between one and two years old. I am shocked that people could come into our neighbourhood to steal children without raising suspicion.”

Another victim, Mrs. Nworie Oluchi, said she first noticed the women the evening before the abduction while returning from the market. “I saw them talking with our landlord outside the compound. The next morning, I went to check on my two-year-old son while washing clothes. One of the women claimed he had gone to buy biscuits, but before I could confirm, the women fled with my son and the other children in a tricycle,” she said.

Efforts to raise an alarm came too late, according to Oluchi, as the suspects had already escaped.

The Ebonyi State Police Command confirmed the incident. SP Joshua Ukandu, the police spokesperson, said the case was formally reported at the Central Police Station, Abakaliki, and investigations are ongoing to apprehend the suspects.

Ukandu added that the Commissioner of Police, CP Adaku Uche-Anya, had previously instructed landlords in Abakaliki to verify the identities of prospective tenants and ensure credible guarantors before renting out properties.

Authorities continue to appeal to residents with any information on the suspects to come forward.