The Uyo Zonal Commander for NAPTIP, Mr Emmanuel Awhen, who made the
disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Uyo on Saturday,
confirmed that the boy had been reunited with his parents.
Awhen explained that Divine was abducted on 1st September 2023 by an
individual who has yet to be apprehended, while he was playing with his elder
brother at their compound in Port Harcourt.
He said the boy was rescued by NAPTIP’s Abuja office, which brought him
to the Uyo zonal command to trace his biological parents.
“The boy, Divine, was rescued by NAPTIP Headquarters in Abuja and then
sent to us, where we were able to put him on television and social media,”
Awhen said.
“We managed to locate the parents, who came in from Port Harcourt, and
we decided to reunite the child with them.”
From the parents’ account, Divine and his elder brother were playing in
the compound when a visitor entered on that fateful day. The visitor gave the
elder brother N200 to buy biscuits, and while the brother was away, the visitor
took Divine.
Awhen noted that child theft is becoming increasingly common and urged
parents to be extra cautious, pointing out that some of those involved in
stealing children are neighbours and even friends.
Divine’s mother, Mrs Comfort Ibanga, a petty trader from Essien Udim
Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom, told NAN that Divine was abducted while she
was away on her daily market activities.
She shared how they sought divine intervention, visiting several
prophets and churches in search of answers.
She added that her neighbour, one Aunty Mercy, who was at home when the
incident occurred, along with another man, was arrested by the police but later
released.
Ibanga expressed her gratitude to God and NAPTIP for rescuing their son.
“Today, 8th November, God has used NAPTIP to rescue Divine for us,” she
said.
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