A 16-year-old boy abducted in Enugu State has been rescued in Onitsha, Anambra State, after his suspected captors reportedly abandoned him near a security checkpoint.
The victim, identified as Favour Ayogu, was rescued on the evening of September 13, 2026, by a joint security patrol team at Ekene Junction along Oguta Road, Onitsha.
The Anambra State Police Command said the boy was reportedly dropped from a black Toyota Highlander SUV by unidentified individuals who fled the area.
The police said the patrol team, which was conducting operations around the area, quickly intervened after noticing the teenager near the checkpoint.
According to the Command, the swift response of the security personnel prevented the boy from suffering further harm.
The incident was disclosed in a statement by the Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga.
The Command said the rescue formed part of intensified joint security operations aimed at curbing criminal activities and responding promptly to distress situations across the state.
The police said efforts had commenced to identify and apprehend members of the suspected criminal gang behind the alleged abduction.
Investigators are also working to establish the circumstances surrounding the boy’s disappearance, including how he was taken from Igboeze South and the period he spent in the custody of the suspected abductors.
The police, however, did not disclose whether the suspects demanded a ransom before abandoning the teenager or whether any ransom was paid.
The Command appealed to residents, particularly those from Igboeze South and Ibagwa-Aka in Enugu State, who may have information that could assist in locating the boy’s family, to contact the nearest police station or the Anambra State Police Command.
The Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, Nnanna Oji Ama, commended the joint patrol team for its alertness and professionalism in securing the teenager.
He directed security personnel to sustain intelligence-led patrols, strategic checkpoints and coordinated operations across the state.
The Command also assured residents and visitors that it would continue to strengthen security measures and take swift action against criminal activities.
It further urged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly provide security agencies with credible information that could help prevent crime and apprehend suspected criminals.
