Abia Vows Arrest of Keke Driver Suspected of Kidnap, Rescue of Abducted Children
The Abia State Government has intensified efforts to rescue two schoolchildren allegedly abducted by a commercial tricycle, popularly known as a keke, rider in Umuosu community, Nsulu, Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area, assuring residents that security agencies are working relentlessly to ensure the children are found and reunited with their families.
The government’s position was made public on Monday, June 29, 2026, after the Abia State Executive Council (EXCO) meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti at the Government House in Umuahia, where top officials briefed journalists on ongoing security efforts.
Addressing newsmen, the Governor’s Special Adviser on Security, McDonald Ubah, said the state had expanded its search beyond Abia by activating security networks in neighbouring states over fears that the incident could be linked to child trafficking.
“We are doing everything possible to rescue the children.”
” We have spread our contacts across the security network in neighbouring states because we suspect this is a case of child trafficking,” Ubah said.
He noted that the government was working closely with security agencies to ensure the children were rescued as quickly as possible while efforts continued to track down those responsible for the abduction.
According to the security adviser, the state government remains committed to protecting lives and ensuring that criminal elements do not find safe haven within or outside Abia State.
He urged parents and guardians to remain vigilant and closely monitor the movements of their children, warning that criminals are increasingly targeting minors.
The abduction reportedly occurred in Umuosu, Nsulu, in Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area, where the children were allegedly lured away by a commercial tricycle rider.
Although authorities have identified the prime suspect as a keke operator, neither the identity of the suspect nor the registration details of the tricycle had been released to the public as investigations continued.
The Abia State Police Command confirmed the incident and said an investigation had commenced to locate the missing children and arrest those behind the alleged abduction.
Police spokesperson Maureen Chinaka said officers had intensified efforts to rescue the victims and bring the perpetrators to justice.
As of Thursday, July 2, 2026, the children had not been rescued, while no arrests had been announced in connection with the case.
Authorities have also not disclosed the identities, ages or schools of the victims, and no ransom demand had been made public at the time of filing this report.
The state government, however, maintained that it would continue working with security agencies across state boundaries until the children were safely reunited with their families and everyone connected with the alleged abduction was brought to justice.
