The Anambra State Police Command has successfully rescued two children Sunday Aliya (14) and Ebenezer Emmanuel (12) who were declared missing nine months ago, following a high-level, intelligence-driven operation that spanned three states: Anambra, Delta, and Edo.
The incident began on January 18, 2025, when a guardian reported at Fegge Policle Station that the boys, who had gone to fetch water from a nearby borehole, failed to return home. Initial search efforts were unsuccessful, prompting the case to be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Awka, for further investigation.
Determined to solve the case, operatives of the Gender Section of SCID launched a nationwide manhunt. Their persistence paid off when credible intelligence led to the arrest of a suspect, Yusuf, in Katsina State. Interrogation of the suspect provided key leads that eventually guided investigators to Umunede in Delta State, where 14-year-old Sunday Aliya was found and rescued.
Not resting on their laurels, the team pushed forward. Following further investigation, they tracked down and rescued the second boy, Ebenezer Emmanuel, in Benin City, Edo State, reuniting the two boys after months apart.
Commending the team’s efforts, the Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, fwc, mnips, PhD, praised the officers for their resilience, professionalism, and dedication to justice. He assured the public that no case—especially those involving vulnerable individuals—would be left unresolved, regardless of the time or resources required.
“This rescue operation shows our commitment to justice and our dedication to protecting every life, especially our children. I applaud the efforts of our operatives and thank members of the public whose cooperation made this possible,” CP Orutugu stated.
The Command has since made contact with the children’s parents, who are residents of Ilorin, Kwara State, and arrangements are underway for a formal reunification with their families.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, reiterated the Command’s call for continuous public support and encouraged residents to promptly report any suspicious activity. He emphasized that the success of the operation was largely aided by timely and reliable information from the community.
