Police re-unite kidnap victim with family after five years

The Cross River State Police Command on Wednesday re-united 11-year-old Felicia Destiny, who was abducted five years ago, with her parents.

Destiny was abducted in January, 2011 at Okpekpe in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo state by a native doctor, Emmanuel Akpan-Okon.

It was exclusively reported on November 26, 2015 that Akpan-Okon also abducted another girl, Esther Augustine Wisdom (11), from Onitsha in Anambra State and turned the kids into sex slaves.

The kids were rescued on November 16, 2015, in Akamkpa, Akamkpa Local Government Area of Cross River State based on a tip off.

Destiny’s mother, Mrs. Felicia Pius, who received her daughter with tears of joy, thanked the police for rescuing her daughter.

“I never believed I will see my daughter again,” she said.

“I almost died when she was kidnapped in 2011. I am very happy to feel her again. I thank the Cross River Police Command for rescuing my daughter from the hands of her captives.”

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr John Eluu, who handed Destiny to her mother at the command headquarters in Calabar, said both victims were rescued from the house of Akpan-Okon.

He said, “On the 16 of November 2015, a team of detectives attached to Akamkpa police division on a tip off, arrested a native doctor, one Emmanuel Akpan-Okon who is specialised in removing bullets from firearms victims.

“Investigation revealed that the native doctor is also known to prepare charms for armed robbers and other miscreant in the area. His premises was searched and two juveniles, Felicia Destiny (11) and Esther Augustine (11) both females were rescued. Both victims were criminally abducted five years ago from their homes and parents.”

Akpan-Okon said the suspect had confessed to the crime, adding that he had furnished the police with details on how the parents of the girls could be contacted.

He added that investigation was still ongoing and that the suspect would be arraigned as soon as investigation was completed.

The PPRO said that the police would also ensure that Augustine is re-united with her family.

He appealed to members of the public with relevant information on the whereabouts of the parents of Esther to come forward with it.

He also advised parents to be cautious about the movement of their children, saying that juveniles could easily be lured into the hands of hoodlums if not properly monitored.