The Police and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) have confirmed the rescue of two visually impaired students who went missing from the Special Secondary School for the Blind in Opefia Community, Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
The students were located on September 11, 2025, in Abakpa Nike, Enugu State, where they had been surviving by roaming the streets and soliciting alms.
Confirming the development to Channels Television in a phone interview on Saturday, Ebonyi State Police Command spokesperson, Joshua Ukandu, said the rescue followed a phone call made to one of the parents of the missing students.
He noted that the students were in good condition and had since been reunited with their parents.
“The students were found in Enugu State, while begging and they have been handed over to their parents,” Ukandu said.
“We are still expecting them back to the command for further questioning.”
Meanwhile, the Coordinator of the NHRC in Ebonyi State, Christopher Okorie, revealed that the rescued teenagers — 17-year-old male JSS3 student, Augustine Onwunyiruba, and 16-year-old female SS1 student, Lawrence Onyenaturuchukwu — had fled the school on June 5, 2025, after allegedly being threatened by senior students.
He commended the public and media for their contributions in locating the missing students.
“Today, September 12, 2025, NHRC Ebonyi State office, is pleased to announce that the children declared missing from Ebonyi State Special School of the blind, Opefia, Izzi LGA, Ebonyi State, three months ago, June 5, have been found.
“They were found around Abakpa Nike, Enugu, where they were surviving through begging. Thank God, they were found in a good state of health and mind. The children have been handed over to their parents.
“We thank the general public, especially members of the Press, for providing the necessary information that led to the tracing and identification of the said children.”