Residents of Nwezenyi community in Igbeagu, Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, have been thrown into panic following the alleged abduction of three siblings by a young woman who reportedly rented an apartment in the area days before the incident.
The children, identified as Favour, Obinna and Kamso Okeoha, were said to have been taken on Saturday while their parents were away from home.
Residents who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity described the development as shocking and disturbing. According to one of them, the suspected kidnapper had only just moved into the compound.
“We are still in shock over what happened. The young lady rented the apartment on Thursday and moved in on Friday. By Saturday, she had allegedly taken the three children. We don’t even know her identity because she barely stayed here,” the resident said.
Another neighbour expressed disbelief, noting that the suspect appeared friendly and made efforts to blend into the community.
“She even painted her room and wrote ‘One Love’ on the wall to make people believe she was harmless and easy-going. We are speechless,” the resident added.
When our correspondent visited the compound on Monday morning, the apartment believed to have been occupied by the suspect was the only room freshly painted, bearing the inscription “One Love.” Sympathisers were seen gathered in the compound awaiting the return of the children’s parents, who were said to be away at the time of the visit.
Efforts to speak directly with the parents were unsuccessful.
Contacted for comment, the spokesman of the Ebonyi State Police Command, Mr. Joshua Ukandu, confirmed that the police had received information about the incident and that investigations were ongoing.
The latest incident adds to growing concerns over child abductions in the state. In February 2026, the police confirmed the kidnapping of three children at Nkwegu, opposite the Nkwegu Military Cantonment gate in Abakaliki Local Government Area. The victims reportedly included a two-year-old boy and two girls aged four and two.
Meanwhile, in a separate development, Chief Francis Igwe, father of former Ebonyi State Deputy Governor, Kelechi Igwe, was reportedly kidnapped on Sunday morning in Ndufu-Alike community.
Sources said the elder Igwe was driving to church when gunmen riding a motorcycle allegedly double-crossed his vehicle, forced him out and whisked him away to an unknown destination.
Chairman of Ikwo Local Government Area, Sunday Nwankwo, confirmed the incident, stating that the council is working closely with security agencies to gather intelligence and secure his safe release.
Security agencies are yet to provide further updates on both incidents as residents continue to call for intensified efforts to curb the rising cases of kidnapping in the state.