Four children belonging to three neighbours have been taken away by their new neighbour who just packed in three days earlier in Umuahia, Abia state, police have confirmed.
The tenants, all women who are also petty traders, are Madam Ngozi Kingsley; Madam Ifeanyi Uduma, sister to Ngozi Kingsley and Madam Blessing Peter Obasi from Nwoke compound, Elugwu Nguzu Edda in Ebonyi State.
Speaking to PUNCH, the women claimed that the suspected abductee, whose identity is yet to be known, packed into the building on Thursday, December 15 as a new tenant, along with another person said to be her sister, friend or an accomplice.
The suspect was said to have packed in with only a camp gas, a 6-inch small foam and a mat, with a little bag suspected to be her dresses. They also said that they noted that while in the house, the two “mysterious” tenants only tied similar wrappers, an indication that they had few clothes with them.
“Within the first two days, they endeared themselves into the heart of the rest of their neighbours as women who love children by playing with them, buying them gifts as well as sending them on errands, and at a time, went to buy brooms and other items with one of the grown up children that later escaped abduction by the suspects”, one of the women said.
In her words, Madam Uduma said she treaded with caution not suspecting any foul intention by the suspect.
She said, “On one occasion, one of my children came out of the house of the suspects wearing a white cloth with red spots” which she said she quickly removed from the child and was queried by the suspects why she did so.
Uduma, who said she came into Umuahia from Ohafia this year, narrated that having been subjected to hardship in her home town, decided to relocate with her children to Umuahia to enable her sister, Ngozi Kingsley, to assist her with her fish business at local markets.
According to her, within the two days, the suspect and her friend cooked food and gave to the children who would playfully enter into the suspects’ room.
“That Saturday, she bought them drinks and gave them biscuits and latter gave them food to eat. The suspect also gave another tenant in the house food, and even me.
“Later, they dressed my last child with white cloth with red spots like flower. My child came to me excited to show me. I removed the cloth and dressed my child with her cloth and the woman came and asked me why I removed the cloth from my child. I told her that I wanted my child to wear my own cloth.
It was not long before the suspect disappeared all four kids with no trace.
Confirming the incident in a press statement, the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Maureen Chinaka, said, “At present, the police have arrested some suspects associated with the unknown tenant and investigation is in progress to determine the whereabouts of the children.”
She however noted, “The complainant, Mrs. Ibe, brought this report to the attention of the police a day after the incident occurred. The public is strongly advised to report matters of this nature immediately to the police control room as soon as they discover such occurrences before physically reporting the incident at the police station.”
“Avoid entrusting underage children to unfamiliar individuals and maintain a vigilant approach when minors are seen with adult companions. Interview both the child and the accompanying person; if unsatisfied with explanations, involve the police for necessary action,” she further advised.
Recall that REPORT AFRIQUE also reported the disappearance of four kids in Abia after a tricycle operator was engaged by their mother to drop them at school.
A user on the microblogging platform, X also posted a video of a man tracked down with kids in his house after luring them with gifts in Abia state.
