Juliana Francis
Two weeks after a 16-year-old Blessing Emmanuel disappeared from their residence at Ibadan, Oyo State, she had returned to tell how her ordeal started via Facebook encounter.
Blessing returned to her parents’ home at the Sango Police Barracks, Ibadan Oyo State, after weeks of plunging her parents into anguish by her disappearance.
According to investigators, preliminary investigations have revealed that Blessing was allegedly lured away from home through Facebook.
According to a police source, after her return, her parents reported to the police at the Sango Police Station in Ibadan, where the girl was quizzed.
It was also heard that based on her revelation, the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, CP Ngozi Onadeko, trailed one of Blessing’s alleged abductors to the Olumi area of Ibadan and arrested one Victor. The policemen, still acting on the order of the CP, trailed and arrested another suspect.
A source said: “The Oyo State CP is very much interested in the case. She was elated at the news that Blessing was found alive. We learned she paid a visit to Blessing in the hospital where she received treatment.”
Neighours of Blessing’s parents were also happy that Blessing was found, and a suspect was arrested in connection with her disappearance.
One of the residents, who declined to give his name, said: “We are happy that she is back home. Her parents had been worried sick and have been in pain since she went missing. I learned that her parents had relocated her from the barracks for now. We commend our CP Mrs. Onadeko for responding to Blessing’s parents and directing the Sango Division to find her.”
The Coordinator of Advocates for Children and Vulnerable Persons Network (ACVPN), Mr. Ebenezer Omejailile, said: “We thank God that the girl has been found. We commend the police. We are concerned because she is a minor and had to go through a lot in the past three weeks. The police should not leave any stone unturned to arrest and prosecute those behind her disappearance. We have directed our response team in Ibadan to reach out to her and her mother for any support they may need.”
