Man, 29, Arrested Over Alleged Abduction of 11-year-old in C'River

 The Police Command in Cross River has arrested a 29-year-old man over the alleged abduction of an 11-year-old boy at Edor Community, Ikom Local Government Area of the state.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Sunday Eitokpah, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday in Calabar.

Eitokpah said the incident was reported on Oct. 5 at about 10 p.m. at Edor Police Outpost by the boy’s father, Mr Raphael Eyo, 57.

He said Eyo alleged that the suspect, identified as Abashi John, had taken his son under the pretext of helping him get home safely.

According to the PPRO, the boy could not be accounted for afterwards, while the suspect allegedly claimed that he had dropped him in front of his father’s residence.

He said Eyo and some community members visited the suspect’s residence the following day, where the boy was reportedly found in the suspect’s room with an injury to his head.

Eitokpah said the circumstances surrounding the injury were being investigated.

He added that the suspect was arrested and initially taken to Edor Police Outpost before being transferred to Ikom Division for further investigation.

The PPRO said the suspect remained in detention, while arrangements were being made to address the child’s welfare and medical needs in consultation with his parent or guardian.

He quoted the Commissioner of Police, Mr Ajo Ordue, as reiterating the command’s commitment to protecting children and other vulnerable persons.

Ordue urged parents and guardians to remain vigilant, monitor their children’s whereabouts, and promptly report missing children or suspicious activities to the nearest police station.

The commissioner also urged members of the public to avoid speculation and vigilantism, stressing that the matter was being thoroughly investigated.

The police said the suspect remained presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.

NAN