A 13-year-old boy, Anayo Stephen, from Ubaha-Akparu Community in Ideato Local Government Area of Imo State, was kidnapped in his home state but managed to escape from the kidnappers’ camp in Anambra State.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Ikenga Tochukwu, informed the public,especially the people of Ideato Local Government Area in Imo State of the safe custody of Anayo Stephen.
According to the statement, the boy was abducted in Imo State but was later found at Ideani Junction in Anambra State.
SP Ikenga explained that on August 9, 2025, at approximately 3:00 p.m., while Anayo was on his way to fetch grass for goats, four young men in a Hilux vehicle stopped him.
The boy narrated that the kidnappers initially asked him for directions to an unfamiliar location in his area. After he gave them directions, they abducted him and took him to an undisclosed location.
SP Ikenga stated that the boy further explained that while his captors were asleep in the bush, he managed to escape. As he was walking away from the scene, he encountered vigilante operatives at Ideani Junction and recounted his ordeal.
The victim is fluent in both Igbo and English.
“Given the above, the Command appeals to members of the media to circulate his picture for possible identification and to assist in reuniting him with his family,” SP Ikenga added.
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