Abia receives three schoolchildren rescued from human traffickers

The Abia State Government on Saturday received the three rescued schoolboys abducted from Amaoba-Ime Oboro, Ikwuano Local Government Area on May 10.

The three children, ages 8, 6 and 4, are biological brothers and were abducted while walking home from school.

Speaking at the event at Nvosi in Isiala Ngwa South LGA on Saturday, the state governor, Alex Otti, expressed gratitude to God and all those involved in the release of the children.

Mr Otti also said he was delighted that the children had been reunited with their parents and loved ones.

The governor asked parents to be vigilant about the safety and security of their children.

He said: “I would also like to urge parents to be more careful as this was avoidable. First of all, you should not entrust your children to people you do not know, whether they are Keke or Okada riders. There is nothing more important than taking care of your children. This is my word to parents, grandparents and everyone who has anything to do with one Abia child or another. It is very important that we take their safety, comfort and safety very seriously. A lot of lessons were learned from this and I think we shouldn't let this sort of thing repeat itself.

He urged security operatives involved in the rescue operations to continue their efforts and ensure thorough follow-up of the matter.

Mr Otti said this would allow them to prosecute everyone involved in the kidnapping to deter others from committing similar acts.

Mr Otti promised that the government would provide rescued children with the support they need in whatever way it deems most appropriate.

He also encouraged communities in the state to adopt the positive cultural practice of treating all children as their own.

He reiterated his administration’s commitment to securing Abia and developing its economy, as meaningful development cannot take place in the state without adequate security.

Mr. Otti said: “One of the promises we made to our people is that we must secure the state. Even though our intention was not to secure the state, but because we intend to develop the state and grow our economy, none of that can happen without security. So when you see me working really hard, visiting security agencies and their leaders, it's to sit down and be able to come up with a security architecture that works for all of us.

He said the government had put in place a robust security architecture to create an enabling environment that attracts investors and helps businesses thrive.

“I had told the criminals, I sent them notice that this place could not contain themselves and us; a person must escape. Unfortunately, I am not the one who would introduce myself, because I have the mandate of the people and I have the mandate of God. So these are the bad guys who run away, or even start running away before someone starts chasing them, and that's what we're seeing. We are also creating a robust economy that will welcome everyone who has real intention and real work to do,” he said.

In a speech, the Chairman of Ikwuano LGA Transition Committee, Osinachi Nwaka, said the rescue took place in three stages and highlighted that he personally led the first operation in Ekwulobia, Anambra.

Mr Nwaka described the rescue as a remarkable triumph and praised the unwavering commitment of government and security agencies.

In a remark, Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, MacDonald Uba (retd), commended the governor for his optimism which motivated all involved in the rescue operation and described him as a father.

Also, the Member of Parliament representing Ikwuano State Constituency, Boniface Isienyi, said the rescue operation was not an easy task but needed the grace of God to make it a success.

Mr Isienyi said he would introduce a bill requiring proper registration with the Ministry of Women's Affairs, to ensure legal status for the operation of a home for motherless babies.

(NOPE)