From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
The Benue State Police Command said it has rescued three children who were abducted by human traffickers.
The state Commissioner of Police, Batholomew Onyeka, made the disclosure in a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, (PPRO), SP Catherine Anene, and made available to newsmen in Makurdi, yesterday.
On September 24, 2023, at about 0730hrs, the family of Godwin Kpaakpa of Badagry street, Opposite St. Peters Church, Wurukum, Makurdi reported that two of their children; Philomena Kpaakpa, six years, and Benedict Kpaakpa, who is less than two years old, were missing. The command said it started an investigation immediately and a signal was sent across the country as usual.
“On 20/10/2023, information was received from the River State Police Command that in the course of an operation at the Rumu-Okoro area, they rescued three children from a medical doctor who seemed to be the same children earlier reported by the Benue Command.
“A team of detectives were sent to Rivers state for identification and other necessary actions.
Fortunately, the two children were identified alongside one other child; Godsgift Julius, who’s parents are yet to be identified,” the statement noted.
The commissioner said Philomena and Benedict have been reunited with their family while Godsgift was yet to be connected with his family. He said the medical doctor was being investigated in River State, while efforts were being made to locate his counterparts in Benue.
CP Onyeka advised parents, guardians, teachers and people who are involved in managing children to watch over their children/wards more closely to forestall such cases of child trafficking.