NAPTIP rescues 8-year-old boy, reunites with parents in Akwa Ibom

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The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has rescued Divine Ibanga, an eight-year-old boy who had been missing for over a year.

Mr. Emmanuel Awhen, the Uyo Zonal Commander of NAPTIP, revealed in an interview on Saturday that the boy has been safely reunited with his parents.

Divine was reportedly abducted on September 1, 2023, while playing with his older brother in their compound in Port Harcourt by an unidentified individual.

Awhen explained that NAPTIP’s Abuja office led the rescue efforts and transferred Divine to the Uyo zonal command to reconnect him with his family.

“The boy, Divine, was rescued by NAPTIP Abuja Headquarters and then sent to us, where we were able to put him on television and social media.

“We were able to get the parents, who came in from Port Harcourt and then we decided to reunite the child with the parents.

“From the parents’ story, Divine and his elder brother were playing in the compound when a visitor walked into the compound on that fateful day.

“The visitor gave the elder brother N200 to buy biscuits and when the elder brother had gone to buy the biscuits the visitor took Divine away,” Awhen said.

Mr. Awhen highlighted the increasing occurrence of child abductions and urged parents to be especially vigilant, noting that those involved in child theft are often neighbors or friends.

Divine’s mother, Mrs. Comfort Ibanga, a petty trader from Essien Udim Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom, recounted their painful experience.

She explained that Divine was taken while she was out at the market. In search of help, they visited various prophets, prophetesses, and churches, seeking divine intervention.

Mrs. Ibanga mentioned that a neighbor, identified as Aunty Mercy, who was present during the incident, along with another man, were initially arrested by the police but were subsequently released.

She expressed profound gratitude to God and NAPTIP for rescuing her son and bringing him back home safely.

“Today, Nov. 8, God has used NAPTIP to rescue Divine for us.”