Police rescue 4-year-old girl abducted from school

Ini Billie, Uyo

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has rescued a 4-year-old child, abducted from a school in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area.

The girl, Aisha Rayanu, was said to have been abducted from the  Methodist Township Primary School in Ikot Ekpene by one Favour Nwachukwu.

It was gathered that 20 year-old Nwachukwu abducted her victim and took her to her ex-militant boyfriend in Akpabuyo, Cross River State, as a replacement for her own daughter who was also allegedly stolen.

It was learnt that Aisha was kidnaped on January 18, 2022 and taken to a camp in  Essighi in Akpabuyo, where she was held and her name changed to Mirabel by her abductors.

Speaking on Tuesday in Uyo during a press briefing, Police Public Relations Officer, SP Odiko Macdon, said the command also arrested a fake female police Constable, one Miss Caroline Udeme with Police uniform and Identity card.

Macdon who described the incidents as unfortunate, stated that all the suspects have confessed to the crimes and would be charged to court as soon as investigation is completed.

“On 18th January, 2022 at about 5pm, one Shuiabu Rayanu of N0 1 Sani Ogun road, Ikot Ekpene reported that on the same date, she took her children to Methodist Township Primary school, No 34 Chubb road, Ikot Ekpene and that at the close of school, she went to pick them but could not find her 4 years-old daughter, Aisha Rayanu.

“On enquiry, she found that an unknown person has gone to school and took her away to an unknown destination. On receipt of the case, detectives of Anti Child Theft, SCIID, Uyo tactically and painstakingly traced and arrested one  Favour Nwachukwu Prince of Ikot Effiom Estate, Akpabuyo local government area of Cross River State

“She confessed to the alleged crime that she went to the said school and abducted the girl, and took her to her boy friend, an ex-militant, in a camp located at Essighi, Akpabuyo local government area in Cross River State in replacement for her own child that was stolen.

“Little Aisha whose name was changed to Mirabel, had been with the said ex-militant till her rescue on  17th March, 2022 by detectives from the Anti Child Theft section. Though she has since been reunited with the family, they are here with us at the headquarters,” Macdon stated.

Macdon revealed that the fake female Constable had defrauded one Loveth Ifechineke and Joy Joseph of the sum of  N500,000 at Itam market, in Itu local government area of the state.

“On 15/3/2022, at about 1816hrs, one Miss Caroline Udeme of Idoro road, Uyo 24 year-old, was arrested in police Constable uniform along with a police identity card.

“Suspect has defrauded one Loveth Ifechineke and Joy Joseph, all of Itam market of cash and items worth over N500,000. All the suspects will have their day in court as soon as investigation is completed,” he said.