Banker raises alarm as abductors target one-year-old daughter over circumcision rite
Anxiety and outrage gripped residents of a quiet neighbourhood on Thursday evening after suspected abductors allegedly attempted to seize the one-year-old daughter of a banker, Mrs. Edith Akpala, while she
Anxiety and outrage gripped residents of a quiet neighbourhood on Thursday evening after suspected abductors allegedly attempted to seize the one-year-old daughter of a banker, Mrs. Edith Akpala, while she was away at work.
The incident, which occurred at about 5:30pm, was said to have thrown the family and their neighbours into panic as the child’s nanny reportedly fled through the back door with the infant and escaped to the home of a nearby family friend.
Family sources said the attempted abduction was linked to mounting pressure allegedly being mounted on the family by traditional authorities insisting that the child be subjected to female circumcision, a demand the mother and her husband have repeatedly rejected.
According to sources close to the family, the situation could have ended in tragedy but for the quick thinking of the nanny, who noticed the danger early and immediately ran out through a rear exit with the baby.
Neighbours told The Nation that the suspected abductors caused commotion at the family’s compound as they allegedly tried to force their way in.
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“One moment, people started shouting that strange persons were trying to enter the compound. There was confusion everywhere,” a resident said. “They made a scene and tried to break in, but neighbours came out in large numbers, shouting and screaming at them until they backed off and left but not without leaving fetish objects at Mrs. Akapala`s door step.”
When contacted on telephone by The Nation, the child’s mother, Mrs. Edith Akpala, a banker with Skye Bank Plc, lamented what she described as the family’s helpless situation and appealed to security agencies to come to their aid.
She said: “My husband and I have been under serious pressure from traditional authorities who insist that our daughter must undergo circumcision. We have refused, but the threats have not stopped. What happened on today has left us traumatised. If not for the nanny’s courage and presence of mind, I do not know what would have happened to my child.”
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The distraught mother alleged that several efforts made by the family to seek police protection had yielded little result.
According to her, each time they approached law enforcement authorities, they were allegedly told the matter was a family issue and were advised to pursue Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) instead.
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“They told us it was a family matter and that we should seek ADR,” she said. “Because of that attitude, those threatening us now feel emboldened. The police have practically left us at the mercy of people who have vowed to circumcise our daughter to fulfil their traditional demands.”
Mrs. Akpala further described the family’s ordeal as hopeless, saying the alleged refusal of the authorities to intervene decisively had worsened their fears.
She appealed to the Edo State Police Command and other relevant authorities to act swiftly before the situation degenerates further.
When contacted on telephone, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Edo State Police Command, DSP Chidi Nwabuzor, confirmed that the incident had been reported.
He, however, said he had yet to receive full details of the matter.
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“I am aware of the report, but I am yet to get a full briefing on it,” he said, promising to get back to our correspondent with further information.
As of the time of filing this report, the police had yet to provide additional details on the incident.
The development has since sparked concern among residents, many of whom condemned the attempted abduction and called for urgent intervention by security agencies to protect the child and her family from further threats.
