BY RITA NWORIE,
ABAKALIKI
The Ebonyi State Government has appealed to members of the public to assist in locating the parents and family members of a six-year-old boy, identified as Chibuike Chukwudi, who was found wandering without adult supervision in Ezza North Local Government Area of the state.
The boy, who said he was looking for his parents and three siblings, told journalists in Abakaliki that he got separated from his family when they went to church.
Addressing journalists in Abakaliki on Tuesday, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Felicia Nwankpuma, represented by the Head of Child Development Department, Mr Emmanuel Nkwuda, said the child was found around 6pm on October 8, 2026, at Onunwachi, Umuezeoka, Ezza North LGA.
Nkwuda disclosed that the police rescued the boy while he was wandering without any adult guide or guardian and subsequently handed him over to the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development on October 9, 2026, for temporal care, tracing and possible reunification with his family.
The commissioner appealed to families whose male child is missing to visit the ministry with credible evidence to establish their relationship with the boy for proper identification and reunion.
“Any family whose male child is missing should come to the Ebonyi State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development with relevant evidence to enable us establish the child’s identity and reunite him with his family,” she appealed.
Mrs Nwankpuma who appreciated Nigerian Police Ebonyi state command for the synergy and robust collaboration with the ministry,expressed concern that no parent had reported a complaint about a missing child at the Ezza North Police Division since Chibuike was rescued.
She urged parents and guardians to always provide adequate supervision for their children, stressing that proper care and guidance would protect them from unnecessary hardship and danger.
“Parents must always guide and guard their children to prevent exposing them to avoidable dangers and hardship,” she advised.
The commissioner also called on the Chairman of Ezza North LGA, Barr. Friday Nwuhuo, community leaders and other stakeholders to assist in tracing the boy’s family and ensuring his safe return.
However, Chibuike, who could only identify himself by his name, was unable to state the name of his village, school, LGA or state, making efforts to trace his family more challenging.
The ministry has appealed to anyone with useful information about his identity or family to come to their office at Centenary City Abakaliki Ebonyi state, contact Mr Emmanuel Nkwuda the HOD child development department via 07069710439 or any nearest Police station.
