A two-year-old boy kidnapped from his home in Cross River State has been rescued alive after community youths intercepted the suspects and foiled their escape attempt, police have confirmed.
The toddler was abducted two days ago from Bunyia Iruan community in Boki Local Government Area. His ordeal ended yesterday when vigilant residents of Ogberia Ochoro community in the Mbube area of Ogoja Local Government Area spotted the suspects attempting to pass through their community with the child.
Members of the community vigilante group immediately stopped the duo and placed them under arrest. The suspects were taken to the village square, where they were tied to a concrete wall fence and beaten before police arrived.
The suspects have been identified as Suahnen Lorlumun, 17, and Sekeghshie Silas, 17. Fearing that the angry youths might lynch the teenage suspects, the Clan Head of Bunyia Irruan handed them over to the Okubuchi Police Outpost for their safety.
Cross River State Police Command Public Relations Officer, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, confirmed the incident in a statement issued to journalists on Thursday in Calabar. He said the two suspects were subsequently released into the custody of the Clan Head, alongside three officials of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons from Calabar.
An eyewitness, who spoke on condition of anonymity, recounted how the community acted swiftly. "When we noticed that they were trying to take the boy across our community, we had to stop them," the witness said. The boy has since been reunited with his family as investigations continue.
Abuja Network News
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