A two-year-old boy who was allegedly abducted from Bunyia Iruan community in Boki Local Government Area of Cross River State has been rescued, while two teenage suspects have been apprehended in connection with the incident.
The suspects, identified as 17-year-old Suahnen Lorlumun and 17-year-old Sekeghshie Silas, were reportedly arrested by members of a community vigilante group in Ogberia Ochoro, in the Mbube area of Ogoja Local Government Area.
The Cross River State Police Command confirmed the development in a statement issued on Thursday by its Public Relations Officer, ASP Sunday Eitokpah.
According to the police, the suspects were taken to the Okubuchi Police Outpost by the Clan Head of Bunyia Iruan to prevent them from being attacked by angry youths.
The command said the teenagers were later released into the custody of the clan head in the company of three officials of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons from Calabar.
An eyewitness, who spoke anonymously, said the suspects were intercepted while allegedly attempting to move the child through the community.
He said members of the local vigilante group became suspicious and stopped the teenagers before taking them into custody.
The eyewitness added that the suspects were subsequently taken to the village square, where they were tied to a concrete fence and beaten by youths before the arrival of the police.
The child was reportedly abducted two days before the suspects were intercepted.
The police said investigations were ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged abduction and determine the suspects’ involvement in the incident.