Eight-year-old Divine Ibanga was saved by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons after going missing for more than a year.
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.
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“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.
(NAN)
