Youths from the Ogberia Ochoro community in the Mbube area of Ogoja Local Government Area (LGA) of Cross River State have rescued a two-year-old boy from kidnappers. The child had been abducted two days earlier in the Bunyia Iruan community in Boki LGA of the state.
Rescue Operation Led by Local Vigilantes
The local vigilante group apprehended the two suspects on Wednesday, August 26, 2026. According to local youths in the Ogberia Ochoro community who spoke to Daily Trust, the suspects were arrested and the child was rescued with the help of the vigilantes. The suspects were brought to the village square, where they were tied to a concrete wall fence and given several strokes of the cane before the police arrived.
Police Confirm Arrest and Suspects' Identity
The spokesperson for the Cross River State Police Command, ASP Eitokpah Sunday Akata, confirmed the incident. He identified the suspects as Suahnen Lorlumun, 17, and Sekeghshie Silas, 17. Akata stated that the suspects were brought to the Okubuchi Police Outpost by the Clan Head of Bunyia Irruan for their safety, following concerns that they could be lynched by youths in the area.
Suspects Released to Clan Head Under NAPTIP Supervision
In a statement, the police command confirmed that the two young men were subsequently released into the custody of the Clan Head, accompanied by three officials of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) from Calabar. The child has been reunited with his family, and the suspects remain under the watch of the Clan Head and NAPTIP officials as the investigation continues.
