The Anambra State Police Command has rescued two missing children after nine months.
This is as the command noted that the rescue operation followed intensive, intelligence-led investigation that extended across several states of the federation.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the spokesman for the state police command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the victims were found in Delta and Edo states following a nationwide operation by officers attached to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Gender Section.
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Ikenga said the case was first reported at the Fegge Police Station on January 18, 2025, after the two children went missing when their guardian sent them to fetch water at a nearby borehole but they failed to return home.
He stated, “Operatives of the Anambra State Police Command attached to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Gender Section have successfully rescued two missing children, Sunday Aliya (14 years) and Ebenezer Emmanuel (12 years), after nine months of intensive and intelligence-led investigation that extended across several states of the federation.
“The case was first reported at Fegge Police Station on January 18, 2025, revealing that the guardian of the victims sent the two boys to fetch water at a nearby borehole, but they failed to return home.
“Following the initial investigation, the case was transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Awka, for further action.
“The operatives, acting on credible intelligence, traced and arrested one Yusuf in Katsina State. During interrogation, the suspect provided valuable leads which guided the operatives to Umunede, Delta State, where one of the victims, Sunday Aliya, was rescued.
“Further investigation led to the recovery of the second victim, Ebenezer Emmanuel, in Benin City, Edo State.”
Ikenga added that the Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, commended the operatives for their perseverance and professionalism and reiterated the command’s resolve to follow every lead in any case, no matter how long it takes, to ensure justice is served.
He said the CP also appreciated the cooperation of residents whose information contributed to the success of the operation and urged the public to continue supporting the police with useful information for better results.
“Meanwhile, the command has contacted the parents of the rescued children, who reside in Ilorin, Kwara State, and arrangements are ongoing for their formal reunification,” the statement added.
