By Gilbert Ekezie
As the year is coming to an end, parents are living in fears over the incidents of missing of children, either for sale or for ritual purposes. In the past, there had been cases of such which eventually put many families into a state of unforgetful agony . But after some time, the ugly incident subsided.
Unfortunately, between October and November, 2021, four children have been declared missing and are yet to be found as at the time of filing this report.
Sunday Sun learned that three of the children missed after a party held within the Alayabiagba Community, while the latest is
a two year old boy, Zachariah Alhassan who disappeared around his residential home within the same community of Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government Area of Lagos Nigeria on November 23, 2021 and has not been found till date.
It was gathered that the little boy went to the mosque at Sidi Street near where his parents live, with two of his older siblings at about 7 pm, but could not return home with them.
His father, Mr Alhassan Ahmadu Ibrahim said, after prayers at the mosque, his brother searched for him, but could not see him, so they returned him and reported.
According to Ibrahim, the little went to the mosque from one of his brother’s house at Olowojeunjeje Street near the mosque, that was probably the reason his siblings could not know if he had gone or not.
Ibrahim stated that he and his wife were not at home when the incident occurred, but the search for him began when his mother, Mrs Mariam Ibrahim returned from market, but could not see him , then asked his brothers who said they were looking for him after the prayers.
Having heard such bad news, she could not hold herself, but raised the alarm, and ran to the mosque to fetch him, but all efforts to get him were futile. Though some people claimed to have seen the boy at the mosque, but could not ascertain his whereabouts, thereafter.
Mrs Ibrahim could not speak due to the shock, but her husband who was restless and sad, summoned courage to narrate the family’s ordeal. According to him it is about 20 days that the little boy is missing has therefore put his entire family in a state of agony .” We started looking for Zachariah, a lot boy of two years since November 23rd and till date, we have not found him. As I speak with you, my family is devastated. We have reported to all the police divisions in Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government, Apapa, Mushin, Orile and other police formations in Lagos State. We have also reported to many of the traditional and community leaders and since then, all of them have been working very hard to get him, but he is nowhere to be found.”
He said the disappearance of his little boy remains unimaginable and hard to believe. “I can’t imagine losing such a little innoceny boy. Every member of the family cries everyday because we want to get him back. Whoever that is holding him, should please release him because I don’t know how we will bear his loss.”
Ibrahim also called on police to add more efforts in their search to recover him. “When I reported the incident to the police, the assured to do their best to get him back. So, I am still expecting them to do more. This is about nineteen days that we have been searching for him and it has not been easy for my family.”
Seriki Hausawa of Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government Are, Lagos State, Alhaji Rabiu Sidi confirmed the incidents of rampant disappearance of little children in the area, describing it as an unfortunate situation that needs to be tackled with all seriousness.
He revealed that it was after the incident that some people told him that they saw a strange woman around the area shortly before the incident , but people were not conscious enough to know her mission,
Sidi noted that for such an incident to happen shows there is a serious security threat in the entire locality.
He therefore called on parents to be more careful on how to handle their children. He also advised the police to look inward in order to fish out those behind the incidents of child theft in the entire Alayabiagba community , else it may extend to other comminities in the locally.
The Seriki Hausawa promised to ensure that such incident does not occur around him. “It is sad that such thing occurred. We have been security conscious. I think something went wrong somewhere. Meanwhile, I have told my people to be more vigilant to forestal future occurrence. However, I believe the boy will be found.”
Moreover, other parents in the locality have called on the police , local government and community leaders on the area to investigate the incessant disappearance of children in the area .
Mrs Bimbola Adefulu and Mr Durotomi Olomu insisted that if nothing is done to fish out those behind the dastard act, it will get a more unbearable stage. “Can you imagine that three children have disappeared and nothing much was done. Now, another two year old boy has disappeared again. What can we call that? Who are doing all these that cannot be found?