Benue missing children rescued in Rivers

The Police in Benue State on Sunday, said its operatives have rescued three children from the hands of their abductors in Rivers State.

Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) SP. Catherine Anene, who made the disclosure, said that two of the children Philomena Kpaakpa, and Benedict Kpaakpa, have already been reunited with their parents while the third child, Godsgift Julius’s parent is yet to be identified.

Our correspondent reports that Philomena Kpaakpa, aged 6, and Benedict Kpaakpa, aged 2, were taken away from their mother’s kiosk in front of their home in Makurdi metropolis in September by an unidentified woman.

The woman had disappeared with the two children she lured with the patronage of a local snack on the pretence that they should follow her to get a change of N1000.

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Anene in a statement noted, “You will recall that on 24th September, 2023 at 0730hrs, the family of Godwin Kpaakpa of Badagry Street, opposite St. Peters Church Wurukum, Makurdi reported that two of their children were missing; Philomena Kpaakpa aged 6 and Benedict Kpaakpa who is less than two years old.

“Investigation started immediately and a signal was sent across the country as usual. On 20/20/2023, information was received from Rivers State Police Command that in the course of an Operation in the Rumu-Okoro area, they rescued three children from a medical doctor who seemed to be the same children earlier reported by Benue Command. A team of detectives were sent to the Rivers State for identification and other necessary actions.

“Fortunately, the two children were identified alongside one other child; Godsgift Julius whose parents are yet to be identified. Philomena and Benedict have been reunited with their family while Godsgift has yet to connect with his family. The medical doctor is being investigated at River State while efforts are being made to locate his counterparts in Benue.”

The PPRO, however, urged parents, guardians, teachers and people who are involved in handling children to watch over their children/wards more closely to forestall such cases of child trafficking.