Operatives of the Amotekun Corps in Ondo State have rescued and reunited a three-year-old boy, Ifeanyi Emmanuel Chukwu, with his family.
He was abducted in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State and was found in Akure, the Ondo State capital.
The child’s uncle, Mr Chidiebere Okwuosa, recounted how Ifeanyi went missing last Thursday while his parents were away.
According to him, while his father was at work, his mother elsewhere attending a burial ceremony.
“When we returned, we couldn’t find him. We searched the entire village with the help of a town crier and reported the case to the police, but there was no trace of Ifeanyi,” he said.
Hope was rekindled when the family saw an online report about Amotekun rescuing two children, one of whom was said to be from Anambra.
“We sent someone from Ondo to verify and, behold, it was our boy. He was all the way here in Ondo State,” Mr Okwuosa added, his voice filled with emotion.
He commended the professionalism and transparency of the Amotekun Corps.
“Since we arrived yesterday, no one has asked us for a bribe. If it were elsewhere, they’d be demanding money. We are truly grateful to the Ondo State Governor and the Amotekun commander.”
Commander of the Ondo Amotekun Corps, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye, confirmed the rescue, revealing that the boy was nearly sold off by a syndicate operating between Anambra and Ondo States.
“It was initially difficult to trace the boy’s parents, but through diligent investigation, we were able to confirm his identity.
He will be handed over to his father once documentation is complete.”
Akogun Adeleye urged parents to remain vigilant, stressing the importance of closely monitoring their children and promptly reporting any suspicious activities to the Amotekun distress line.
The family, though overjoyed, disclosed that Ifeanyi’s mother remains unwell due to the trauma of the incident.