Dare Babalola
The Delta State Police Command has rescued an abducted two-year-old child and reunited the victim with the parents following coordinated operations against child trafficking and related crimes in Delta State.
The command said the rescue was part of intensified efforts targeting child stealing, trafficking and other offences in Warri and Effurun, with investigations already underway to dismantle criminal networks involved in such acts.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe.
According to the statement, operatives of the Quick Response Squad in Warri rescued the child on May 10 at about 9:15 a.m. and also prevented the lynching of a suspect at Igbudu Market.
“Operatives of the Quick Response Squad (QRS), Warri, on 10 May 2026 at about 0915hrs, successfully rescued a two-year-old child suspected to have been abducted and prevented the lynching of a suspect at Igbudu Market, Warri,” the statement said.
Police identified the suspect as 29-year-old Fejiro Obaduemu of Idesor Street, Isi Layout, Warri.
“The suspect was intercepted by vigilant residents while carrying the child concealed inside a sack bag, thereby raising suspicion of child stealing,” the command stated.
The police said officers swiftly moved to the scene, rescued both the suspect and the child, and evacuated them to safety before the suspect could be attacked by the mob.
“Before the suspect could be mobbed, operatives of the QRS swiftly responded to the scene, rescued both the suspect and the child, and evacuated them to safety,” it added.
Authorities said the suspect, who sustained injuries during the attempted mob action, was treated at the Police Clinic in Warri before being taken into custody for further investigation.
Further inquiries on May 11 led detectives to the child’s parents, after which the child was formally handed over to the family in the presence of Hausa community leaders in Warri.
“Further investigation conducted on 11 May 2026 led to the successful tracing of the child’s parents, and the child was formally reunited with the family in the presence of leaders of the Hausa community in Warri,” the statement noted.
Police said preliminary findings indicated that the suspect allegedly confessed he had been sent by another unidentified ব্যক্তি in Warri to steal the child.
“Efforts are ongoing to arrest the said accomplice and unravel the wider network connected to the crime,” the command added.
The Commissioner of Police, Yemi Oyeniyi, assured residents that the command remained committed to protecting children and combating trafficking.
“He urges members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities involving children to the nearest police station,” the statement said.
