Fatima Waziri-Azi, DG NAPTIP
By Deborah Nnamdi
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has rescued an eight-year-old boy, Divine Ibanga, declared missing for over one year.
The Uyo Zonal Commander of NAPTIP, Emmanuel Awhen, who disclosed in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Uyo on Saturday, said Divine was stolen on September 1, 2023, by someone, yet to be apprehended while he was playing with his elder brother at their compound in Port Harcourt.
“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.
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.
Narrating their ordeal to NAN, Divine’s mother, Comfort Ibanga, a petty trader in Port Harcourt from Essien Udim Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom, said Divine was stolen while she was away for her daily market activities.
She narrated how they moved from one Prophet and Prophetess to another and from one Church to another seeking divine intervention.
She said that her neighbor, one Aunty Mercy, who was at home when the incident happened, and another man was arrested by the police but was later released.
Ibanga expressed gratitude to God and NAPTIP for rescuing their son from captivity.
A when warned that child theft is becoming rampant and cautioned parents to be extra careful, pointing out that some of those who engage in stealing children are neighbors and friends.
