ASABA, DELTA STATE – The peaceful atmosphere of Ogwashi-Uku, a community in the Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State, was shattered over the weekend following the shocking abduction of four children in the Umuokwe quarters.
The incident has thrown the entire community into panic and confusion as residents struggle to come to terms with the disappearance.
The four victims, identified as Ebube and Miracle siblings from one household, and Chimanda and Excel, children from another family, were allegedly lured away by three unidentified women who had recently taken up residence in the area.
The women reportedly moved into the neighborhood just three days before the tragic event occurred.
According to eyewitnesses and local sources, the women presented themselves as new tenants in the compound, having secured an emergency rental without providing any formal identification or documentation.
Residents stated that the women seemed friendly and did not initially raise any suspicions. However, things took a dark turn when the children went missing after reportedly being enticed with offers of biscuits from a nearby shop.
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Concern quickly grew when the children were not seen for several hours, prompting neighbours and family members to search for them throughout the area. The situation escalated when a visit to the women’s apartment revealed that the room was completely deserted. All three women had vanished without a trace, and the children were nowhere to be found.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for the Delta State Command, Mr. Bright Edafe, confirmed the incident to the press on Sunday. He stated that the children were abducted under suspicious circumstances and that the case is being treated with utmost urgency.
Four children were indeed abducted, Edafe said. The troubling part is that these women came into the community just three days earlier and rented an apartment without leaving behind any traceable information.
No names, no phone numbers, no identification documents, nothing at all. And now, they have disappeared along with four innocent children.
As part of the ongoing investigation, the landlady of the compound where the women rented the apartment has been arrested by the police. Authorities believe her role in the matter is questionable, especially given her failure to obtain any form of verification or documentation from the women before allowing them to stay on her property.
“The landlady’s actions are being thoroughly investigated because they are suspicious, Edafe added. “In situations like this, where there is no formal rental agreement and no background checks, it becomes easier for criminal elements to carry out such acts without leaving a trail.
The incident has sparked widespread concern among residents, who are now demanding improved security measures and better vetting of tenants in the area. Community leaders have also called on law enforcement agencies to intensify efforts to locate the missing children and bring the perpetrators to justice.
Many parents in the neighborhood have become increasingly cautious, keeping their children indoors and warning them not to talk to strangers. The trauma of the incident has also led to renewed calls for community policing and stricter tenant screening procedures to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
As the search for the abducted children continues, the Delta State Police Command is appealing to the public for any information that may aid in the rescue efforts. Residents with tips or sightings of the suspects are encouraged to report immediately to the nearest police station.
Meanwhile, local and state authorities have promised to leave no stone unturned in the pursuit of justice for the affected families. The Ogwashi-Uku community remains hopeful that the children will be found and reunited with their loved ones soon.
