Tension has griped Obiaruku community in Ukwuani Local Government Area of Delta state following the disappearance of a six-year-old male pupil, Onai (not real name), during the graduation ceremony of his school in the community on Wednesday.
It was gathered that while the private school in Obiaruku community held its graduation ceremony, a driver of the school bus was asked to go and bring Onai and other pupils from Umukwata community for the ceremony but the boy ended up not being found among the pupils brought to the school by the driver.
Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Andrew Aniamaka, who confirmed the incident to DAILY POST, said, “the father of the missing boy was contacted. Immediately the matter was reported to the police, a search party was conducted to no avail. We have arrested the driver who at present is helping the police for further investigation.”
But sources disclosed that since the report of the incident, tension has heightened in the area as most parents have refused their children from attending graduation ceremony.
While speaking with our correspondent, the father of the missing boy, Mr Patrick Ebiereh said, “I suspect a ritual murder. Why was it only my son who did not get to the school? The driver has more to tell the police. I will get to the root if the police failed. I will employ other means to uncover who took my son away.”
Unconfirmed sources say the driver was allegedly involved in a similar act last year when he reportedly knocked down a 4-year-old male pupil trying to cross the road, and took him into the vehicle, and drove away. He was however caught by onlookers while allegedly attempting to dump the victim in the bush for fear that he had died.
The Director of the school, Mrs. Felia Azah confirmed to DAILY POST that investigation was ongoing, adding that the driver was handed over to the police for further interrogation.
Assuring that the police will do everything possible to recover the missing boy, Aniamaka said, “a 32-year-old lady has been missing too in Osubi area in Warri. The missing lady went to work on Wednesday and did not return. We are searching for her seriously, since July 20,2018. The situation is becoming terrible, but the police will continue to do its best.”
In last few weeks, no fewer than thirteen persons were reported to have been missing, ten of them are pupils while three others were adults who are feared to have been used for ritual activities.
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