The FCT Police Command, in collaboration with the Rivers State Police, successfully rescued four-year-old Hope Evans in Abuja after two months in captivity.
Hope was abducted on October 31, 2024, from his school in Port Harcourt by a woman identified as Blessing Okoi, who lured him away with snacks. She later changed his name to David Evans to hide his identity. The suspect fled Port Harcourt the same day, prompting the child’s family to report the case to the police.
Following a tip-off, police tracked Okoi to Maraba, Abuja, where she was arrested on November 29, 2024. During questioning, Okoi initially claimed to be the child’s mother but later admitted to the abduction, revealing she had deceived her partner into believing Hope was their child.
Hope’s mother, Lydia Jonah Gabriel, was reunited with her son on December 6, 2024, in Abuja. She expressed relief and gratitude to the police for their dedication.
The FCT Police Commissioner, CP Olatunji Disu, urged schools to enhance child safety measures while confirming that Okoi remains in custody, facing charges in court.
