By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

The Anambra State Police Command on Monday announced that a 13-year old boy who was allegedly abducted by unknown men in Ideato Local Government Area of Imo State, had been found by a Vigilante in the state.

The boy was said to have escaped from his captors in a bush in Ideato Local Government Area of Imo State after they fell asleep.

The victim whose name was given as Anayo Stephen, from Ubaha-Akparu Community, was said to have been kidnapped by four young men in a Hilux vehicle while on his way to fetch grass for goats.

He was however, lucky as he ran into the vigilante operatives at Ideani in Idemli North local government area of Anambra state after escaping from his captors' custody.

Confirming the incident, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said that the boy is in safe custody of the Command.

The statement read in part, “Anambra Police Command wishes to inform the public, especially the people of Ideato LGA of Imo state of the safe custody of one Anayo Stephen, 13, from Ubaha-Akparu Community.

“The young boy was allegedly abducted in Imo state but was found at Ideani Junction in Anambra.

“According to the boy, on Aug. 9, at about 3p.m., while on his way to fetch grass for goats, four young men in a Hilux vehicle stopped him.

“They initially asked him for directions to a certain place in his area.

However, unknown to him, they allegedly abducted him and took him to an undisclosed location.

“The boy further stated that while his captors were asleep with him in the bush, he managed to escape.

“While walking away from the scene, he met the vigilante operatives at Ideani Junction and narrated his ordeal.

“The victim speaks both Igbo and English fluently.

“The Command seeks the assistance of members of the media to share his picture for possible identification and to reunite him with his family.”