Residents of a community in Lagos State have reportedly apprehended and handed over two women suspected of kidnapping a 12-year-old schoolboy, following several days of searching for the missing child. The case has intensified concerns about child safety and community security in the area.
According to multiple local accounts, the boy was allegedly abducted while returning home from school. His disappearance prompted alarm among family members and neighbors, leading to an extensive search that lasted several days without success. Parents in the community described the period as one of fear and uncertainty, with many keeping children indoors.
The situation reportedly shifted when a hunter and some community members said they sighted the suspects with a young boy in a bush area. Based on that information, residents traced the suspects to a residence where the two women were found. Angry residents allegedly confronted the suspects at the location. Reports indicate the women were beaten by the crowd before being handed over to authorities.
During the confrontation, the suspects allegedly admitted involvement in the kidnapping. They were quoted as claiming the boy had been sold to an unidentified man, commonly referred to as “Alhaji,” who was said to have taken the child to Abuja for about ₦7 million. The suspects reportedly added that they did not know the buyer’s exact location in Abuja, claiming they were only contacted to deliver a person in exchange for money. These claims remain allegations and have not been independently verified.
The whereabouts of the 12-year-old remain unknown at the time of this report. The incident has left the boy’s family in distress and heightened calls for urgent action to find him.
The Nigeria Police Force has confirmed that the suspects are in custody and are assisting with investigations. Authorities have urged members of the public to remain calm and allow due process, stressing that mob action can hinder investigations and put lives at risk. Police say efforts are ongoing to locate the missing child and verify all claims made by the suspects.
Child rights advocates say the case highlights the need for stronger security around schools and better coordination between communities and law enforcement. They also warn against jungle justice, noting that suspects must be presumed innocent until proven guilty in court, and that beating suspects can compromise evidence….See More
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