The family members of a four-year-old, Elo Ogidi, are in distress over the disappearance of the child during a church service at the headquarters of the Christ Embassy in Oregun, Lagos.
PUNCH Metro learnt that Elo was with the maid during the church’s children thanksgiving service last Sunday when she went missing. The Personal Assistant to Elo’s father, Solo Cosmos, told our correspondent on the telephone that Elo’s parents were too distraught to speak.
Cosmos, however, said efforts to find her had been abortive, adding that the police had yet to have a clue on the whereabouts of the pupil.
He said, “The family were all there at that thanksgiving service and Elo was with the maid, who took care of the three kids of the family. “Cake was shared for the children during the thanksgiving service and the maid went to get the kids’ slices. But when she returned, she discovered that Elo was not on her seat again.
“We got information from a child that he saw Elo outside the tent where they had the children thanksgiving service. The kid said after Elo came out of the tent, a woman grabbed her hand and took her away.
“We immediately organise a search party but she was not found.”He said the case was reported at the Alausa Police Station but was transferred to the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, Yaba.
Cosmos told PUNCH Metro that the family had been in distress as a result of the incident, urging anyone with information on her whereabouts to contact the police. The Officer-in-Charge of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, Bulus Musa, confirmed the incident, adding that it was a case of kidnapping.
He said, “I am aware of the case and we are working on it. We are still investigating the case.”The state Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Chike Oti, could not be reached, as his mobile phone indicated that it was switched off.