By Zobia Zulfqar 
An eight-month-old baby who was reported missing from Kpando Market in the Volta Region has been found safe, bringing relief to his family and residents who had joined efforts to search for the infant.
The baby was discovered at Bowiri Toviate in the Oti Region after days of concern and public appeals for information about his whereabouts. Police have confirmed that the child has been rescued and is now receiving medical attention to ensure he is in good health.
Following the rescue, the infant was taken to the Margaret Marquart Catholic Hospital in Kpando, where doctors are conducting medical examinations to assess his condition. Authorities have not reported any serious injuries, but the child will remain under medical observation as a precaution.
Police have also arrested a suspect believed to be connected to the alleged abduction. The individual is currently being held at the Kpando Police Command while investigators continue to gather evidence and establish exactly what happened.
Investigators say the case remains active, and several lines of inquiry are being pursued. Police have not released the identity of the suspect or explained how officers traced the child to the Oti Region. They say more information will be shared when it will not affect the ongoing investigation.
The baby was reported missing on Thursday, July 16, between 2:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. at the busy Kpando Market. According to initial reports, the child’s mother, a young groundnut seller, had the baby strapped to her back while selling at the market.
Witnesses said a woman approached the mother and began a friendly conversation. During the interaction, the woman reportedly offered to help the mother by carrying the baby for a short time. Believing the offer was genuine, the mother agreed.
The woman allegedly left with the child and failed to return, prompting immediate concern. When the mother realized the baby was missing, she raised an alarm, drawing the attention of traders, shoppers and residents in the market.
The incident quickly spread across the community, with many people joining the search and sharing information on social media. Photos and descriptions of the missing child were widely circulated in the hope that someone would provide information leading to his rescue.
According to reports, the woman was described as fair in complexion, believed to be in her mid thirties, and wearing an orange top with black trousers on the day of the incident. Police used this information as part of their investigations.
The successful rescue of the baby has brought relief to many residents of Kpando, who had been anxiously following the case since news of the disappearance emerged. Family members expressed gratitude to everyone who assisted by sharing information and supporting the search efforts.
Community leaders also praised the police for acting quickly and working to ensure the child was found safely. They encouraged residents to continue cooperating with law enforcement whenever suspicious activities are observed.
Police have reminded parents and guardians to remain vigilant, especially in busy public places such as markets, transport terminals and shopping centres where large crowds can make children more vulnerable.
They advised parents to avoid leaving young children with strangers, even when the offers of assistance appear harmless. Officers said criminals sometimes take advantage of moments of distraction to carry out such acts.
Authorities also appealed to the public to report suspicious behaviour immediately to the nearest police station or through emergency contact numbers. They noted that early reporting can significantly improve the chances of locating missing persons quickly.
The investigation into the alleged abduction is expected to continue in the coming days as detectives interview witnesses and gather additional evidence. Police say the outcome of the investigation will determine the appropriate legal action against anyone found to have been involved.
For now, the safe recovery of the eight month old baby has brought comfort to his family and the wider Kpando community. Residents remain hopeful that the ongoing investigation will establish the full facts of the case and ensure that justice is served.
Also Read: Cabinet Approves Major Mining Law Reforms to Strengthen Sector Governance
Comments are closed.