An alert vigilante officer Friday evening prevented the kidnap of 18 children from the town of Umunze in Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra.

The suspects, who came in a Mitsubishi bus, were said to have run out of luck when a lone vigilante officer driving along the road saw them with about 18 children and a middle aged woman with a baby seated inside the vehicle and suspected their movement.

According to an eye witness Mr. Humphrey Okoye, “When the vigilante officer approached them to find out who they were and what they were doing with the children in the vehicle, they claimed they were going to a crusade but when they were asked of their bibles, they became defensive.

“As a result, the vigilante officer tactfully contacted some men hanging around the motor park area for assistance. On sensing trouble, two of the suspected kidnappers took to their heels while the third one engaged the vigilante officer and other people that came in a fight but he was subsequently over-powered and taken away by the vigilante officer.”

However, none of the children aged between 4-12 years nor the woman with a child could talk or explain who they were or what happened.

Information has it that the bus came from Enugu and was heading for an undisclosed location while the suspect that was apprehended claimed that he had no knowledge of what was happening, claiming that only the fleeing driver could give explain what was going on.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ali Okechukwu, did not pick his call when efforts were made to get his reaction.

•Photo shows Anambra Police Commissioner, Hosea Karma.