The Sapele area of Delta State has been thrown into mourning following the discovery of the body of a three-year-old boy, identified as Lemuel, a day after he was reported missing.
The incident occurred in the Uko Road area of Sapele, where the boy had reportedly been playing with other children in the neighbourhood before he was sent on an errand by his father on Monday.
According to family sources, Lemuel was said to have been unwell at the time he left home to purchase an item for his father.
However, he failed to return, prompting his parents, relatives and neighbours to launch a search for him.
As the search continued without success, the boy’s father reportedly visited the Gana Police Station to formally report the child missing and request police assistance.
The search, which extended into the night, reportedly ended in tragedy the following morning when the lifeless body of the boy was discovered near the family’s residence.
A suspect has since been arrested in connection with the incident, while the police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the child’s disappearance and death.
The development has sparked concern among residents, with many calling for a thorough investigation to unravel what happened to the young boy and ensure that anyone found responsible faces the law.
The Sapele Local Government Council has also commiserated with the bereaved family and called for a comprehensive investigation.
The council chairman, Bright Abeke, represented by the Secretary to the Local Government, Raymond Overah, led a delegation of council officials on a condolence visit to the family.
Overah, speaking on behalf of the chairman, expressed sadness over the death of the child and assured the family of the council’s support in efforts to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.
He said the chairman had directed the relevant security agencies to intensify their investigation, identify those connected with the incident and ensure that anyone found culpable was prosecuted.
“The council is deeply saddened by this tragic loss. We urge the security agencies to thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding the death and ensure that anyone found responsible is brought to justice,” Overah said.
He further urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious persons, movements and activities to the appropriate security agencies.
The death of the child has left residents shocked, with members of the community continuing to rally around the bereaved family as investigations into the tragic incident continue.