Nsit Atai Chairman Facilitates Reunion of Trafficked 13-Year-old With Family
... Cautions Parents Against Entrusting Their Children To Strangers
The Executive Chairman of Nsit Atai Local Government Area, Hon. Prince Anthony Nyong, has successfully facilitated the reunion of a 13-year-old survivor of human trafficking, Master Ezekiel Ubong Patrick, with his family after months of separation and uncertainty.
Master Ezekiel, a native of Ikot Essien Village in Nsit Atai LGA, had been living with his mother in Oron LGA before his disappearance.
According to his father, Mr Ubong Patrick, the child’s mother had taken him to live with her in Oron, after which all efforts to reach her or determine the boy’s whereabouts proved futile.
Recounting the true story of the child’s abduction, the President of Akwa Ibom Community in Anambra State, Barr. Moses Okon, explained that the boy was kidnapped in Oron by an unknown individual and trafficked to Owerri, Imo State, where he was sold to a trafficker. The trafficker later resold him to another buyer in Akokwa, also in Imo State. The final trafficker enrolled him in a secondary school under a falsified identity: Akachukwu Anthony Ahanonu.
Barr. Okon noted that rescuing the boy was made easier by his remarkable intelligence and clarity.
“Despite being only 13, he vividly described how he was abducted, sold to two different traffickers, and how he eventually escaped. He confidently stated his village, his parents’ names, and every detail needed to trace his origin,” he said.
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After his escape, Master Ezekiel was found wandering in Neni, Anaocha LGA of Anambra State, by local vigilantes. The vigilantes alerted the Akwa Ibom Community in Anambra, who quickly took him to the Neni Police Station for safety and documentation.
Upon receiving the report, Hon. Prince Anthony Nyong moved swiftly to ensure the child’s protection and return. With the cooperation of the Nigeria Police Force (Neni Division) and the Akwa Ibom Community in Anambra State, Master Ezekiel was formally handed over to his father on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at the Chairman’s residence in Uyo.
During the handover, Chairman Nyong condemned child trafficking, describing it as a grievous crime and a threat to society. He cautioned parents and guardians against entrusting their children to strangers or neglecting their well-being.
“Human trafficking is a serious crime. Parents must remain vigilant and avoid leaving their children in the care of people they barely know,” he warned.
He expressed deep appreciation to Barr. Moses Okon for his integrity, swift action, and commitment to the welfare of Akwa Ibom indigenes in the diaspora.
Describing him as a worthy ambassador of Nsit Atai, the Chairman praised his role in ensuring the child was protected until his family could be traced.
He also commended the Divisional Police Officer and officers of the Neni Police Station for safeguarding the boy and cooperating throughout the recovery process.
Hon. Nyong assured the family that Nsit Atai Local Government would take special interest in the education of Master Ezekiel, noting the boy’s intelligence and resilience despite his traumatic experience.
In an emotional moment, the child’s father, Mr Ubong Patrick, expressed profound gratitude to the Chairman, the Police, and the Akwa Ibom Community in Anambra State for making his son’s return possible.
Meanwhile, Barr. Okon disclosed that the suspected trafficker responsible for the boy’s abduction will be prosecuted by the police in accordance with relevant laws.
