Tenant Escapes With Neighbours’ Three Children, Another In Umuahia 

Three female children belonging to three different parents have been stolen in Umuahia by two new female tenant.

The names of the children were given as Chioma, 6, Ogbonne, 6, Miracle, 5, and Joy, 3, were taken away to an unknown destination by two unidentified tenants who moved into the compound at Uwalaka Street by Ossah Road in Umuahia, capital of Abia State.

This, our correspondent reports was happening barely two weeks after four children of the same parents were taken away to an unknown destination by a tricycle driver, in Umuahia, while on their way to school.

It was gathered that the alleged abductor disguised as genuine tenant who rented and paid for a room in the building where the families live.

After moving in, they immediately became friendly with the families, giving food and gifts to the children, and also playing around with them while perfecting their evil plans.

One of the grieving mothers, Mrs. Ngozi Kingsley, stormed a radio station in Umuahia to call for help, telling the public about her only daughter, Chioma, who was taken away.

Narrating her ordeal, while crying, she said: “I went to the market as usual and left my children with my sister, who visited with her two children. We had no water in the compound due to a lack of power supply, so my sister went to fetch water and took my son with her.

“When she returned, she discovered that my daughter Chioma, her two daughters, Ogbonne, and Joy, as well as my neighbour’s child, Miracle, were missing and the new tenants were nowhere to be found.”

Mrs. Ifeanyi Uduma Ibe from Okoni Ohafia whose two children were stolen by the new tenants, said the alleged abductors were cooking and serving her children food and giving them other gifts from the day they packed into the compound.

According to her, the suspects became overly friendly with children in the compound, while parents were unaware of the plan to steal their children.

Mrs. Ibe, who said her daughter, Joy, can be identified by a birthmark on her knee, avowed that the case has been reported to the Police.

The Abia State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, Maureen Chinaka, reacting to the incident, in a statement said “On the 17th of December 2023, at about 0900Hrs, Mrs Ifeanyi Udoma Ibe, a resident of Ubakala Street by Ossai Road, Umuahia, reported to the Central Police Station(CPS) Umuahia that she entrusted four children to the care of a new female tenant, including two of hers and her neighbours’ namely JOY UDOMA  (Female, three years old), OGBONNA UDOMA (Male, six years old), CHIOMA KINGSLEY (Female, five years old), MIRACLE IKECHUKWU (Female, five years old).

“Unfortunately, on the same day, the new tenant made away with the four children.

“Police interaction with Mrs. Ibe revealed that the tenant had moved in just three days before the incident and Mrs. Ibe could not provide details such as the tenant’s name or GSM number.

“Anyone with useful information regarding the missing children should report to the nearest police station or contact the PPRO via 07059951536.

“The complainant, Mrs. Ibe, brought this report to the attention of the police one day after the incident occurred.

“At present, the police have arrested some suspects associated with the unknown tenant and investigation is in progress to determine the whereabouts of the children.

“The public is strongly advised to report matters of this nature immediately to the police control room as soon as they discover such occurrences before physically reporting the incident at the police station.

“Reporting such incidents promptly aids police efforts.

“Avoid entrusting underage children to unfamiliar individuals and maintain a vigilant approach when minors are seen with Adult companions.

“Interview both the child and the accompanying person; if unsatisfied with explanations, involve the police for necessary action.”