Insecurity, child abduction alarming, threaten Ebonyi peace

…Three siblings kidnapped in Abakaliki
…Police confirm increasing rate of child kidnapping
…Residents demand govt’s intervention

A disturbing wave of child abduction is casting a dark shadow over communities in Ebonyi State, raising fears among residents and prompting urgent calls for vigilance, accountability, and stronger preventive measures.

From Abakaliki to Izzi and Ohaukwu, stories of missing children are no longer isolated incidents but part of a growing pattern that has left families shattered and communities on edge.

In the early hours of February 7, 2026, panic gripped residents of Nkwagu in Abakaliki Local Government Area when three siblings were abducted opposite the Nkwagu Military Cantonment.

The victims two girls aged four and two, and a two-year-old boy were reportedly taken while their parents were away.

The shocking nature of the incident, occurring in proximity to a military facility, has heightened concerns about the boldness of suspected child traffickers.

Eyewitness accounts revealed a troubling detail, saying: “3 young women had rented an apartment in the compound just days before the incident.”

According to residents, she moved in quietly perhaps making it appear harmless. By the next morning, they had vanished along with the children. The ease with which the suspect infiltrated the community has sparked questions about tenant screening and neighbourhood security.

Barely weeks later, a similar incident unfolded in Nwezenyi in Izzi Local Government Area, where another three children were reportedly kidnapped under comparable circumstances. Earlier reports had also indicated a case in Nkaliki, suggesting a pattern in which perpetrators exploit temporary accommodation arrangements to gain access to unsuspecting families.

The Ebonyi State Police Command confirmed that at least two of such incidents and described the trend as “worrisome.”

Joshua Ukandu, Superintendent of Police and Police Public Relations Officer of Ebonyi State Police Command, said, “investigations are ongoing, with efforts intensified to track down those responsible”. He emphasised that while arrests had been made in connection with the cases, the primary suspects remain at large.

Ukandu pointed to a recurring tactic used by the suspects posing as tenants seeking short-term accommodation. He urged landlords, agents, and residents to adopt stricter measures, including obtaining detailed personal information such as National Identification Numbers (NIN), valid identification cards, and next-of-kin details before renting out properties.

According to him, “When you request proper identification and documentation, individuals with criminal intent will think twice. These are preventive steps that can help reduce such incidents.”

Beyond the recent abductions, older cases continue to haunt affected families. One such case is that of a single mother from Ngbo in Ohaukwu Local Government Area, identified as Ebere Aleke, whose son was reportedly stolen in 2021 in Onitsha, Anambra State, where she lived and worked as a petty trader.

Aleke narrated her ordeal with visible distress, recounting how she left her toddler in the care of a neighbour while hawking pap to make ends meet. On returning home one day, her child had vanished. For nearly two years, she searched in vain until she traced him to a children’s home in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, in 2023.

However, what should have been a moment of relief turned into another nightmare. Aleke alleged that the management of the children’s home has refused to release her son, instead demanding money for DNA tests. She claimed to have paid N150,000 for an initial test, the results of which were never disclosed to her. According to her, she is now being asked to pay an additional N1.5 million for another DNA test.

“I saw my child, and he recognised me. But they took him away again and said I must pay more money. I don’t understand why they are doing this to me,” she lamented.

Aleke accused Authorities in Rivers State of holding her son against her will and had appealed to the Ebonyi State Government, civil society organizations, and human rights groups to intervene and secure the release of her child. Efforts to obtain a response from the management of the children’s home were unsuccessful at the time of this report.

Her story underscores a broader concern about the vulnerability of children and the challenges faced by parents seeking justice across state lines. It also raises questions about oversight and accountability within institutions meant to protect children.

Across Ebonyi, residents now live in heightened anxiety. Parents are becoming increasingly cautious, restricting their children’s movements and questioning unfamiliar faces in their neighbourhoods. Community leaders have also begun organising local awareness campaigns to educate residents on the tactics used by suspected child traffickers.

Security experts warn that the pattern observed in these incidents suggests a coordinated network rather than isolated acts. The use of deception, rapid execution, and movement across locations points to a level of planning that requires a more robust and intelligence-driven response.

While the Police continue investigations, stakeholders agree that prevention remains the most effective tool. From stricter tenant verification processes to community vigilance and timely reporting of suspicious activities, collective action is seen as critical in curbing the menace.

As Ebonyi grapples with this unsettling trend, the urgency to protect its most vulnerable citizens its children has never been greater. For families like the Okeoha siblings and Ebere Aleke, the hope remains that justice will not only be served but that their painful experiences will lead to stronger safeguards against a crime that strikes at the very heart of society.