The Ebonyi State Government, in collaboration with the Nigerian Police Force, has confirmed the rescue of five male children found wandering in different parts of the state.
Police spokesperson, SP Joshua Ukandu said that operatives of the Ebonyi State Command played a crucial role in removing the boys from the streets and ensuring their safety.
“Operatives of the command rescued the five male children at various locations across the state. They have been handed over to the Ebonyi State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development for further investigations and to reunite them with their families,” Ukandu said.
The children have since been transferred to the Ebonyi State Juvenile Remand Home in Ugwuachara, Abakaliki.
Speaking at the facility, the Commissioner for Women’s Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Felicia Nwankpuma, said the children were found roaming the streets on different dates before police intervened.
“These vulnerable children were found at different parts of the state on separate occasions and handed over to the ministry to enable us trace their families and reunite them,” she said.
Represented by the Head of the Child Development Department, Emmanuel Nkwuda, the commissioner stressed that children are precious and must be adequately protected and cared for.
He advised parents to have only the number of children they can properly cater for, taking into account their economic capacity and schedules, and urged families to remain security conscious.
The state government called on parents or guardians searching for missing children to visit the ministry for proper identification and possible reunification.
Nwankpuma warned that if no parent or relative comes forward within a reasonable period, the ministry may be compelled to place the children in adoption or foster care to ensure they are not deprived of parental care, education, dignity and a sense of belonging.
She explained that the remand home is neither a school nor a skill acquisition centre, and prolonged stays without structured engagement could negatively impact the children’s development.
“Some of them have stayed here for up to four years, others for two years or one year, while the youngest has been with us for just two months. We believe it is important to inform the public that children of these ages are currently in our care,” she said.
The commissioner also cautioned parents against allowing strangers unrestricted access to their children, recalling a recent incident in the Nkwagu area where three children were allegedly taken away after some women were deceived.
The ministry urged anyone with relevant information to come forward to help facilitate the reunion of the children, who are between the ages of three and 14.
