In a heartwarming conclusion to a harrowing two-month saga, the FCT Police Command has successfully rescued four-year-old Hope Evans from the clutches of a kidnapper in Abuja.

The rescue operation was the culmination of an intensive investigation and manhunt led by FCT Police Commissioner CP Olatunji Disu, in collaboration with the Rivers State Command.

The drama began on October 31, 2024, when Blessing Okoi, the suspect, lured Hope away from his school, Model Community Nursery and Primary School in Azubie, Port Harcourt, with biscuits and eggs. His mother, Lydia Jonah Gabriel, raised the alarm when she discovered her son was missing.

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School officials revealed that an unknown woman, later identified as Blessing Okoi, had taken Hope at approximately 1:28 pm.
The investigation led the police to Maraba, Abuja, where Blessing Okoi was arrested on November 29, 2024.

Initially, she claimed to be Hope’s biological mother, referring to him as “David Evans.” However, inconsistencies in her story and evidence provided by Hope’s actual mother exposed her deception.

Further investigation revealed a complex web of lies, including Blessing Okoi’s claims that Hope was the result of a past pregnancy and that her former lover, Evans, was the boy’s father. The suspect was also found with another young boy, whom she claimed was her son.

The reunion between Hope and his mother was an emotional moment, taking place in the office of Commissioner of Police Olatunji Disu. Overjoyed, Hope’s mother thanked the police for rescuing her son, saying, “Since this incident happened, I have not been able to sleep… But I thank God the Police have found my son, and I am vindicated.”

Commissioner Disu emphasized the importance of school safety, praising the officers involved in Hope’s rescue. Blessing Okoi remains in police custody, awaiting charges.

Rescue 20 travellers from kidnappers in Katsina

The Katsina State Police Command said it successfully foiled two kidnap attempts in Jibia and Faskari Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state, rescuing 20 captives.

According to spokesperson of the Command, ASP Abubakar Sadiq, “The first incident occurred on December 7th, 2024, at about 7PM when bandits armed with dangerous weapons such as AK-47 rifles, opened fire on a moving vehicle, attempting to abduct the occupants at Kwanar Makera along Katsina–Magamar Jibia road.

However, following a tip off, ASP Sadiq said operatives of the command from the Jibia divisional police headquarters, swiftly responded and engaged the bandits in a gun duel and eventually forced them to abandon their mission, fleeing the scene with gunshot injuries. All 10 occupants of the vehicle were successfully rescued unhurt, he said.

ASP Sadiq further stated that in a separate incident, same day at about 8:30PM, at Marabar Bangori, along the Funtua–Gusau road, Faskari LGA, suspected armed bandits laid ambush on a motor vehicle conveying passengers. However, when operatives of the command were alerted, they quickly mobilized and engaged the bandits in a fierce gun duel at the scene. “Due to their superior firepower, the bandits abandon their heinous plan and flee the scene. All the passengers were successfully rescued,” ASP Sadiq added. “Unfortunately, one of the rescued victims was rushed to the hospital due to severe assault inflicted on him by the assailants. The victim is currently responding to medical attention,” Sadiq said