Abia State Government warmly welcomed three siblings who were rescued after being abducted in Amaoba-Ime Oboro, Ikwuano Local Government Area, on May 10.
The children, aged 8, 6, and 4, were returning home from school when they were taken.
State Governor, Alex Otti, speaking at the event in Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South LGA, expressed profound gratitude to God and all involved in the safe return of the children.
He emphasized the importance of parental vigilance in ensuring the safety and security of children.
Otti was delighted to see the children reunited with their parents and loved ones, emphasizing the need for continuous vigilance to prevent such incidents in the future.
“I would like to also admonish parents to be more careful because this was avoidable.
“First of all, you should not hand over your children to people you do not know, whether Keke or Okada riders.
“There is nothing you’re doing that is more important than looking after your children.
“That is my word to parents, grandparents and everybody who has something to do with one Abia child or another.
“It is very very important that we take their security, comfort and safety very seriously.
“A lot of lessons have been learnt from this and I believe we shouldn’t let this kind of thing repeat itself,” he said.
Otti also commended the security operatives involved in the rescue mission, urging them to continue their efforts and conduct a thorough investigation to prosecute all individuals involved in the abduction.
This, he emphasized, would serve as a deterrent to others.
The Governor equally assured that the government would provide the rescued children with necessary support as deemed fit.
He encouraged communities in Abia State to adopt the positive cultural practice of considering all children as their own.
Otti reiterated his administration’s dedication to securing Abia State and fostering its economic development, emphasizing that meaningful progress is impossible without adequate security.
“One of the promises that we made to our people is that we must secure the State.
“Even if it was not our intention to secure the state, but because it is our intention to develop the state and grow our economy, none of those can happen without security.
“So when you see me working very hard, visiting security agencies and their heads, it is to sit down and be able to map out a security architecture that works for all of us,” he said.
Otti highlighted that the government had implemented a robust security architecture to foster a conducive environment for attracting investors and supporting businesses to thrive. This measure is aimed at ensuring the safety and prosperity of the state.
“I had told criminals, I have sent them notice that this place cannot contain themselves and us; one person must run away.
“Unfortunately I’m not the one that would run, because I have the mandate of the people and I have the mandate of God.
“So it’s the evil ones that would run away, even to start running before somebody starts pursuing them and that is what we are seeing.
“We are also creating a robust economy that will accommodate everyone that has a genuine intention and genuine job to do,” he said.
During the event, the Transition Committee Chairman of Ikwuano LGA, Osinachi Nwaka, revealed that the rescue operation unfolded in three stages.
He highlighted that he personally led the first operation in Ekwulobia, Anambra, and described the rescue as a significant triumph. Nwaka commended the unwavering commitment of the government and security agencies.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, Comdr MacDonald Uba (Rtd), praised Otti for his optimism, which he said motivated everyone involved in the rescue operation. Uba described the governor as a father figure.
Remarking, Mr. Boniface Isienyi, the member representing Ikwuano State Constituency, acknowledged that the rescue operation was challenging but credited its success to divine grace.
Isienyi also announced his intention to introduce a bill requiring proper registration with the Ministry of Women’s Affairs to ensure the legal status of operating a motherless baby home.
