Metro

How I Narrowly Escaped Being Kidnapped, 13-yr-old Boy Narrates

Published

2 years ago

September 30, 2023

A 13-year-old boy, Abraham Stephen has narrated how he miraculously escaped being kidnapped in Owo, Ondo state. Abraham, who said he left home, due to maltreatment from his mother, walked into the hands of abductors.

Narrating his ordeal, at the office of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in the state, the victim said he was picked up at AUD primary school Iyere Owo, by two young boys dressed in black hooded kaftan and they threatened to shoot him if he shouted or attempted to run

He said that he was coerced to follow them, and upon entering the car, he saw two more young boys also dressed in black hooded kaftan.

Vanguard learnt that the abductors were taking him to lbadan, Oyo state, when they ran into a police checkpoint. For fear of arrest, they asked the boy to alight from the vehicle and join a commercial vehicle with the instruction to wait for them to get to Ibadan.

But all the commercial vehicles refused to stop, wondering why a boy of his age would be travelling alone on the highway.

However, one of the cars travelling to lbadan, stopped and picked him up. After questioning him, the good Samaritan became worried why a boy of his age would be travelling to Ibadan unaccompanied and decided to take him to the NSCDC office at FEMA along Agbogbo road

According to him “when they asked me to enter their vehicle, they threatened to shoot me if I shout or try to run away.

“When we got to a police checkpoint, they told me to get down from the car for fear of arrest by the police. They told me to board a car going to Ibadan that they would be waiting for me there.

“But the car that picked me instead of taking me to lbadan, took me to the office of the NSCDC.

“I noticed that a Jeep that was on our trail from the spot where the driver picked me up drove off and stopped trailing us as soon as the car turned to NSCDC ‘s office.”

Speaking on the incident, the state spokesperson for the state command of NSCDC, Daniel Aidamenbor, said that the boy was rescued by a good Samaritan who brought him to the NSCDC Ondo Command Anti-Human Trafficking Unit.

Aidamenbor said that “The mother of the victim, Stephen Ajayi Toyin was contacted and was asked to come for her son in Akure. She was shocked upon her arrival.

“She narrated that she left her son at home for the market, she was away in the market when she received a call from officer of NSCDC that her son was in their custody.”

The NSCDC spokesperson noted that the victim had been handed over to his mother.

Metro

2-year-old Boy ‘Drowns’ In Lokoja River

Published

10 hours ago

July 8, 2025

Editor

A two-year-old boy, Godwin Kumfa, is suspected to have drowned in Meme River in the Phase 11 area of Lokoja, Kogi State capital.

The incident reportedly happened at about 7:30 a.m. on Monday.

His father, Mr Mamtip Kumfa, who revealed this said that he received a distress call from a neighbour around 7:30 a.m. that the boy was missing.

Kumfa, a security guard at a private school, said he returned home to find his wife searching frantically at the riverside.

He explained that his wife had left Godwin sitting by the river while she went to collect sand, only to find the boy gone on her return.

“Godwin was left alone by the river while she gathered sand,” Kumfa said, his voice filled with grief.

“Later, we found one of his shoes near Arigbede, about 10km downstream. I’m lost. Godwin is my only son,” he added.

A family friend, Mr Seun Babalola, said they trailed the river path, but could only find the boy’s shoe downstream.

He revealed that a similar tragedy had happened at the same river two years ago, involving another young boy.

“Two years ago, a seven-year-old named Goodluck Friday also drowned here. It’s painful.

“We don’t know if it’s natural or something else. Only God knows,” he said.

The boy’s mother, Mrs Lovina Kumfa, cried uncontrollably, pleading for help and divine intervention.

“I left him just for a while. When I came back, he was gone. Please God, help me find my child,” she sobbed.

The community remains in shock, as family, friends, and neighbours rally around the grieving parents.

At the time of filing this report, efforts to recover the child were still ongoing by local search parties.

Metro

JUST IN: Gunmen Kill Policeman, Abduct Other In Imo

Published

1 day ago

July 7, 2025

Editor

Gunmen launched a deadly attack on a police patrol team in Imo State on Sunday, resulting in the death of a police constable and the reported abduction of an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP).

The Imo State Police Command confirmed the incident on Monday and has launched a manhunt to apprehend those responsible.

The incident occurred around 9:00 a.m. near Finas Gas Station, along the Okigwe-Umuahia Road, specifically in the Old Gariki area of Okigwe, which sources described as a “dangerous zone.”

During the ambush, Police Constable Oluebube was fatally shot, and his service rifle was stolen by the attackers.

ASP Casmir, who was leading the patrol team, has been missing since the attack, leading to fears that he may have been abducted and possibly killed. Other members of his team managed to return to base with their rifles and are currently receiving medical attention.

Police spokesman Henry Okoye stated that preliminary findings suggest the attackers are affiliated with the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN).

“An intense operation is ongoing to apprehend the miscreants responsible for the attack,” Okoye said. He added, “We are aware that some may question why IPOB is being mentioned, but we cannot ignore confessional statements by suspects who openly associate their actions with the group. As a law enforcement agency, it is our duty to report facts as uncovered during investigations.”

Metro

Police Declare Two Wanted Over Attack On Ahoada-East LGA Administrator, Theft

Published

2 days ago

July 6, 2025

Editor

The Rivers State Police Command has declared two top officials of the Ahoada-East Local Government Area wanted over their alleged involvement in the brutal attack on the LGA’s Sole Administrator, Hon. Goodluck Iheanachor.

Declared wanted are Mr. Hector Ekakita, Chief Security Officer (CSO) of Ahoada-East LGA, and Mr. Aloni Olodi, Chief of Staff (COS) of the LGA.

In a statement issued on Sunday by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, the police said the duo is wanted for alleged criminal conspiracy, stealing, assault occasioning harm, and attempted murder. The offenses stem from a violent incident that occurred on June 20, 2025, at the Ahoada-East Council Secretariat.

According to the statement, Ekakita and Olodi, alongside a group of about 30 others, allegedly conspired to assault the Sole Administrator, inflicted injuries on him, forcibly obtained his signature under duress, stole his mobile phones and sensitive documents, and carted away both personal and official property from his office.

The police revealed that despite repeated invitations, the suspects have failed to appear for questioning, prompting the declaration.

“The Rivers State Police Command has declared the following individuals wanted… Mr. Hector Ekakita – Chief Security Officer (CSO), Ahoada-East LGA, and Mr. Aloni Olodi – Chief of Staff (COS), Ahoada-East LGA,” the statement read.

“Their actions resulted in bodily harm to the administrator, who continues to receive medical treatment.”

The Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga A. Adepoju, psc, mnips, has urged the suspects to report to the Police State Headquarters on Moscow Road, Port Harcourt, without further delay.

He also warned that anyone found aiding or shielding the suspects would face the full weight of the law.

“The Rivers State Police Command remains steadfast in its commitment to justice and maintaining public peace and safety,” the statement concluded.
(VANGUARD)