Five-year-old boy kidnapped in Lagos, found in Ogun

A five-year-old boy, who gave his name as Abraham Adeyemi, suspected to have been abducted in Lagos State has been found in Ogun State.

Adeyemi was said to have been found in front of the Foursquare Gospel Church, Imedu Nla, Mowe, in the Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area of the state on Sunday.

The victim told our correspondent that he was a nursery one pupil of the New Way Nursery and Primary School.

He, however, said he did not remember where the school was located in Lagos State.

The child, who was brought to the Nigeria Union of Journalists secretariat, Iwe Iroyin, Oke Ilewo, Abeokuta on Monday by the state police spokesman, Muyiwa Adejobi, said his elder sister’s name is Sarah.

Dressed in T-shirt and a pair of jean trousers, and looking unperturbed, Adeyemi could only identify his parents simply as “Daddy Sarah and Mummy Sarah.”

The victim also told PUNCH Metro that his mother sold recharge cards in their area in Lagos.

When our correspondent asked him how he was snatched from his house by his abductors, Adeyemi said, “They told me that we were going to Mr. Biggs (a popular eatery).”

Adejobi said the police suspected that the little boy must have been kidnapped in Lagos and dumped at the Foursquare Gospel Church, Imedu Nla, Mowe.

He added that the police had not been able to contact his parents in Lagos because the victim had not been able to supply their telephone numbers.

He said, “The police found him on Sunday at the Foursquare Gospel Church, Imedu Nla, Mowe. We suspected that Adeyemi must have been kidnapped in Lagos and dumped here in Ogun State.

“This is because the boy kept telling the police that he lives in Canal; and we all know that canals are common in Lagos.

“We are not sure whether any ransom has been demanded. The boy is currently with us.”

Adejobi, who condemned the ugly trend where children were being kidnapped in churches and dumped at other churches, advised church leaders to provide adequate security arrangements for their congregation whenever they were having programmes.

He said, “We want to appeal to churches to always make adequate security arrangements whenever they are having programmes.

“Parents should also keep watch on their children, whether during Sunday service or prayer session, to forestall this type of occurrence.”