The Abia State Police Command has confirmed the alleged abduction of two school pupils by a tricycle operator in the Nsulu community of Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area.
The command’s spokesperson, DSP Maureen Chinaka, said the incident was reported to the Divisional Police Officer in charge of the area, adding that an investigation had commenced.
According to the police, the pupils were returning home from school during a rainfall when an unidentified tricycle operator offered them a ride.
Police said the rider later stopped and claimed his tricycle had run out of fuel. He reportedly handed one of the older pupils N1,000 and a jerrycan to buy fuel, leaving two younger children behind in the vehicle.
However, by the time the older pupils returned, the tricycle operator and the two younger children had disappeared, prompting the matter to be reported to the police.
Chinaka assured residents that detectives were working to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident and rescue the missing pupils.
The Chairman of the Umuosu Development Association, Barrah Chiedozie, also confirmed the incident, stating that the two children were yet to be found.
The police appealed for useful information that could assist the ongoing investigation as efforts continue to locate the victims and apprehend the suspect.