7-Year-Old’s Quick Thinking Foils Abduction Bid, Two Suspects Arrested

A seven-year-old boy’s presence of mind has helped thwart the attempted abduction of three children in Akwa Ibom State, leading to the rescue of the victims and the arrest of two suspected child traffickers.

The incident occurred on Wednesday evening along the Ekparakwa–Ekpene Ukpa Road in Ikot Ekpaw community, Mkpat Enin Local Government Area, an area that has witnessed growing concerns over kidnapping activities in recent times.

According to accounts from the family and the police, the suspects allegedly tried to lure the children into a minibus by falsely claiming they had been sent by their father. However, the eldest of the children became suspicious and challenged the men, setting off a chain of events that eventually exposed the alleged plot.

The father of two of the victims, Itoro Ekpoudo, said his seven-year-old son and three-year-old brother were returning home from an evening lesson at about 7 p.m. when they were approached by the occupants of the vehicle.

He explained that the men told the children their father had sent them to take them home.

“My son knew something was wrong because I was not around. He asked them questions about me and their answers did not convince him,” Ekpoudo said.

According to him, the boy asked one of the men whether his father was short or tall. When the suspect responded incorrectly, the child became alarmed and attempted to leave with his younger sibling.

The situation escalated when one of the suspects allegedly grabbed the three-year-old and forced him into the vehicle.

The older child immediately raised the alarm, attracting traders, passersby and residents in the area.

“At that point, they sped off with my younger son, but because people had already been alerted, they later abandoned him and fled,” the father recounted.

The alarm sparked a community response, with commercial motorcyclists and residents pursuing the fleeing vehicle toward a police checkpoint in Ekparakwa.

The chase ended with the interception of the minibus and the arrest of two suspects.

Videos from the scene later circulated on social media, showing angry youths demanding that the suspects be handed over to them. Their vehicle was subsequently set ablaze by a mob.

Confirming the incident, the Akwa Ibom State Police Command said operatives rescued three children and arrested two suspects following a distress call from a concerned resident.

Police spokesperson Timfon John said detectives were immediately deployed while strategic entry and exit points around the area were placed under surveillance.

“During the intensive search, operatives intercepted a minibus with registration number 830 PH. A thorough search of the vehicle led to the discovery of the three missing children inside the bus,” she said.

“The children were rescued unharmed, while two suspects were arrested on the spot.”

The suspects were identified as Emmanuel Johnny, 39, from Nsit Ubium Local Government Area, who reportedly resides in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and Ifiok Umoh, 28, from Oruk Anam Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

Police said investigations are ongoing, while the children have since been reunited with their families.

Reacting to the rescue, Ekpoudo expressed gratitude to residents and youths who responded swiftly to his son’s alarm, describing their intervention as crucial in preventing what could have ended in tragedy.

He also thanked security operatives for their prompt response and successful rescue of the children.