Abia Govt Vows to Rescue Abducted School Children 

The Abia State Government has assured residents that security agencies are working round the clock to rescue the two schoolchildren abducted in Umu-Suma, Ntigha, Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area.

The children were reportedly abducted on Friday after school, an incident the government described as a suspected case of child trafficking.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, Navy Commander MacDonald Uba (Rtd.), stated this on Monday, at Government House Umuahia, during a briefing session with the Press on the outcome of this week’s State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti.

“It was quite an unfortunate incident. We have set the ball rolling to ensure that the children are recovered,” Uba said.

He revealed that security operatives had initially acted on intelligence suggesting the children had been taken to Ngo-Okpala in neighbouring Imo State, but the information later turned out to be false.

“We acted on the information we received, but it turned out to be a false lead. However, we have not relented in our efforts,” he said.

According to Uba, the Commissioner of Police in Abia State has already contacted his counterparts in neighbouring states as security agencies intensify efforts to track the abductors.

Describing the incident as “a typical case of child trafficking,”

the security adviser expressed optimism that the victims would be rescued safely.

“We are on top of the situation. We will get the children back,” he assured.

Uba also expressed concern over the circumstances surrounding the abduction.

He said five pupils were being conveyed home in a commercial tricycle after school when three of them were allegedly asked to alight to buy fuel, leaving the remaining two children vulnerable to the abductors.

He recalled a similar incident during the early days of the current administration when two pupils were abducted from Ikwuano but were later rescued in separate operations in Warri and Onitsha.

“We have handled a similar situation before, and those children were rescued. We are confident that these children will also be found,” he said.

The state government urged residents to remain calm and support security agencies with useful information that could aid ongoing investigations, assuring families of the victims that every effort was being made to secure the children’s safe return.