A commercial motorcyclist popularly known as an “okada” rider in [location not disclosed] has been arrested after allegedly kidnapping a 3-year-old girl he was paid to take to school daily, in a case that has left the community shocked.
According to family sources and police reports, the man had been transporting the child to and from her nursery school for several months and was regarded as familiar and trustworthy by the family. On the day of the incident, he reportedly picked up the girl but failed to drop her at school. When the family could not reach him and the child did not return home, they raised the alarm.
Police say the suspect later contacted the family and demanded a ransom for the child’s release. Following a tip-off and tracking efforts, operatives located and arrested the suspect and rescued the child unharmed. The child has since been reunited with her family and is undergoing medical checks.
The Nigeria Police Force confirmed that the suspect is in custody and that investigations are ongoing to determine the full circumstances of the case. Authorities said charges of kidnapping and child abduction will be considered once investigations are concluded.
The case has sparked anger and concern among residents, many of whom described the suspect as someone the family had come to trust. Parents in the area say the incident has made them reconsider how they vet people hired to transport their children.
Child protection advocates say the case highlights the risks of relying solely on familiarity when arranging transport for young children. They recommend that parents verify identities, request means of identification, and use services that have formal accountability structures. Schools are also being urged to adopt stricter handover protocols to ensure children are only released to authorized persons.
“Kidnapping of children is a serious offense under Nigerian law and carries severe penalties under the Child Rights Act and the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act,” a legal practitioner in the state said. “Trust cannot replace due process and verification….See More
