The Ebonyi State Police Command has confirmed the abduction of three siblings in Nwezenyi village, Igbeagu community, in Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
The children, identified as Favour, Obinna and Kamso Okeoha, were reportedly taken on Saturday by a woman who had recently moved into their compound as a new tenant.
The incident has thrown the quiet rural community into fear and confusion, as residents struggle to understand how a stranger allegedly carried out such an act within days of arriving in the area.
The spokesperson of the Ebonyi State Police Command, Joshua Ukandu, confirmed the development on Tuesday in Abakaliki, the state capital.
According to him, investigations are ongoing and security operatives are working to locate and rescue the children.
“Investigation has been launched to locate and rescue the children,” Ukandu said.
He did not provide further details but assured residents that efforts are being intensified to track down the suspect.
Community sources said the suspected kidnapper rented an apartment in the compound on Thursday and moved in the next day.
“She stayed just one day before the children were abducted on Saturday. We do not even know her identity,” a resident told journalists.
The children were reportedly taken while their parents were away from home.
Neighbours said the woman appeared friendly and calm when she arrived. She was said to have greeted other tenants warmly and behaved in a way that did not raise suspicion.
One resident said the woman even painted her room shortly after moving in and wrote the words “One Love” on the wall, possibly to create a good impression among neighbours.
No one in the compound suspected that anything was wrong until the children were discovered missing.
The abduction has left residents of Nwezenyi village unsettled.
Igbeagu community is largely known as a peaceful area where neighbours are familiar with one another.
Many residents said they were shocked that such an incident could happen so suddenly.
“This is a small community. We never expected something like this,” another neighbour said.
Parents in the area have since become more cautious, keeping a closer watch on their children and warning them not to interact freely with strangers.
The parents of the abducted children were not available for comment at the time of filing this report, as they were said to be distressed and working with security agencies.
The latest case has renewed concerns about child abduction in Ebonyi State and across parts of Nigeria.
In recent years, several states have recorded incidents where children were lured or taken by strangers posing as neighbours, caregivers or acquaintances.
Community leaders in Izzi Local Government Area have called for increased vigilance and better screening of new tenants.
Some residents have suggested that landlords should request valid identification and inform community leaders whenever new tenants move into their compounds.
Police authorities have urged residents to provide any useful information that could help in locating the suspect and rescuing the children safely.
Child protection advocates say quick reporting and cooperation with law enforcement are critical in cases of abduction.
They note that the first few days after a child goes missing are very important in increasing the chances of safe recovery.
The incident has also sparked discussions about strengthening local security systems.
Some community members have called for closer collaboration between traditional leaders, vigilante groups and the police.
In many rural communities in Ebonyi, local vigilante groups assist in maintaining order. Residents believe that better communication and awareness could help prevent similar cases in the future.
Parents have been advised to educate their children about safety, including not following strangers or accepting gifts from people they do not know well.
For the Okeoha family, the days since Saturday have been filled with fear and uncertainty.
The disappearance of Favour, Obinna and Kamso has left a painful gap in their home.
As the search continues, residents of Nwezenyi village are hoping for positive news.
The police say investigations are ongoing, and efforts are being made to track the suspect and rescue the children.
Until then, the community remains on edge, praying for the safe return of the three siblings and for stronger measures to protect children from harm.
The case once again highlights the need for vigilance, cooperation and swift action whenever strangers move into neighbourhoods.
