After nine long months of uncertainty and heartbreak, two missing children — Sunday Aliya (14) and Ebenezer Emmanuel (12) — have finally been rescued by operatives of the Anambra State Police Command, bringing an emotional end to a harrowing ordeal that spanned several states across Nigeria.
According to a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the rescue followed a painstaking, intelligence-driven investigation led by officers of the upState Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Gender Section, who refused to give up despite the passage of time.
The case was first reported at the Fegge Police Station on January 18, 2025, when the boys’ guardian raised the alarm that the children, who had gone to fetch water at a nearby borehole, never returned home. The matter was later transferred to the SCID in Awka for a more comprehensive investigation.
Acting on credible intelligence, detectives tracked down and arrested a key suspect, identified as Yusuf, in Katsina State. During interrogation, the suspect provided vital information that led to a breakthrough in the investigation.
“The suspect’s confession guided operatives to Umunede, Delta State, where one of the victims, Sunday Aliya, was found. Further leads led to the rescue of the second child, Ebenezer Emmanuel, in Benin City, Edo State,” the statement said.
Speaking on the development, the Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu fwc, mnips, PhD, commended the officers for their perseverance, professionalism, and relentless pursuit of justice. He assured the public that the command remains committed to following every lead, no matter how long it takes, to ensure that every missing person is found and every crime thoroughly investigated.
“This operation is a testament to our unwavering resolve. We will never give up on any case, no matter how long it takes. Every child matters, and every family deserves closure,” CP Orutugu stated.
He also expressed gratitude to members of the public whose cooperation and information greatly aided the rescue mission, urging continued community support for effective policing in the state.
Meanwhile, the police have contacted the children’s parents, who reside in Ilorin, Kwara State, and arrangements are underway for their formal reunification.
The successful rescue has drawn emotional reactions from residents and human rights advocates, many describing it as “a story of hope, resilience, and the power of determined policing.”
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