Rivers Doctor rescues missing Benue children

Men of the Benue State Police Command have rescued three missing children from kidnappers in Rivers State.
On September 24, 2023, the parents of two missing children filed a report at the Makurdi Police Station.

The missing children have been identified as Philomena Kuparkpa, according to State Police Public Information Officer Katherine Annen. Benedict Kuparkpa, 6 years old and under 2 years old.

Mr Annen said in a statement made available to journalists in Makurdi on Sunday that the two children were rescued side by side by doctors in Rivers State.

The statement reads in part: “Around 7:30 a.m., the family of Mr. Godwin Kuparkpa of Badagry Street, opposite St. Peter’s Church Urukum in Makurdi, reported two children missing. Philomena Kuparkpa, 6 years old, and Benedict Kuparkpa, 6 years old. Kuparkpa is under 2 years old.

“Investigation started immediately and a signal was sent across the country as usual.

“On 20/20/2023, information was received from the Rivers State Police Command that in the course of an operation at the Rumuokoro area, they rescued three children from a medical doctor that seemed to be the same children earlier reported by the Benue Command.

“A team of detectives was sent to River State for identification and other necessary actions.

“Fortunately, the two children were identified alongside with one other child, Godsgift Julius, whose parents are yet to be identified.”

The police spokesperson said Philomena and Benedict had been reunited with their family while Godsgift had yet to be connected with his family.

She said the medical doctor was being investigated at Rivers State while efforts were being made to locate his counterparts in Benue.

Ms Ane called on parents, guardians, teachers and those involved in the care of children to better monitor children to prevent incidents of child trafficking.