The family of Mercy Akande, a seven-year-old girl, is in distress following her disappearance on Monday in the Sango Ota area of Ogun State.
Reports indicate that the incident occurred near the shop where her mother operates a Point of Sale (PoS) terminal. According to eyewitnesses, a male customer, described as a regular visitor, allegedly lured the child away.
The man, who had gained the trust of the family over time by frequently visiting the PoS stall to make transactions and buying food for the girl, reportedly sent Mercy on an errand to purchase sachet water. Upon her return, he intercepted her and both were seen walking together before vanishing.
The victim’s nephew, who identified himself simply as Jude, recounted the incident to PUNCH on Thursday, explaining that the mother had briefly noticed them together but was distracted by attending to other customers.
He said, “The man had been visiting her store regularly to withdraw money and buy recharge cards. He had become friendly with the girl and would often buy her food and give her money. He doesn’t stay in the area. On Monday morning, which was December 23, the man visited the stall again and bought food for himself and the girl.
“While the mother was busy attending to other customers, the man sent the girl to buy pure water. On her way back, he approached her halfway to get the sachet water from her. The mum saw this and wasn’t comfortable with it but was distracted by the attention of other customers. By the time she turned towards the daughter’s direction to check what was happening, the guy and her daughter were nowhere to be found.”
The distraught mother immediately began searching for her daughter but to no avail. Attempts to contact the alleged kidnapper via his mobile phone proved futile as his line became unreachable.
The case has since been reported to the police, but the family has expressed frustration over the alleged financial demands to proceed with the investigation. Mercy’s cousin claimed on social media that the family was asked to pay ₦10,000 to file the case and an additional ₦30,000 to track the suspect’s phone number.
Efforts to obtain a court affidavit for further legal procedures have been stalled due to the holiday period.
Meanwhile, the newspaper reported that calls and messages to Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer Omolola Odutola were unanswered.
