Family Seeks Assistance as Nine-Year-Old Goes Missing in Lagos
The guardians of a nine-year-old girl, identified as Patience, who disappeared approximately eight days ago in the Merian area of Lagos State, are appealing for assistance to locate her whereabouts.
According to reports, the young girl left her residence on March 31, 2024, to return a food warmer to a neighbor nearby. Despite thorough searches conducted by the guardians and assistance from neighbors, Patience remains unaccounted for.
One of the guardians, Pastor Olabiyi, explained during a telephone interview on Monday that despite reporting the incident to the police promptly, there has been no progress in finding Patience.
Olabiyi recounted, "She disappeared on March 31, 2024. She left home to return a food warmer to a pastor couple who reside opposite our house.
"They had loaned us the food warmer for a birthday celebration held after Sunday service. However, when she didn't return within 30 minutes, concerns arose about her whereabouts.
"Despite not being our biological child, we treated her as our own. She attended school and then went to my wife's shop. Later in the day, when the pastor couple returned, my wife inquired about Patience, but they hadn't seen her since Sunday service. Subsequently, we went to the police station together to file a report."
Meanwhile, Pastor Esther, the wife of Olabiyi, described Patience as a gentle, smart, and intelligent girl. She appealed for public support in locating Patience, stating that despite her efforts, including a search in the village, they had been unsuccessful in finding her.
Recalling the events of March 31, 2024, she mentioned that while she was away ministering in Ayobo/Ipaja, Patience had attended church with her husband. During their absence, a neighbor brought them food, and later, when Pastor Esther inquired about the return of a food warmer, her son admitted to forgetting it.
Upon returning home and discovering Patience's absence, Pastor Esther questioned the cleaners, who informed her that Patience had left to return the warmer. However, Pastor Esther doubted this explanation, as Patience didn't know the recipient's address, leading her to wonder how Patience could have returned the warmer.
"We've been searching for her ever since. When the situation intensified, we decided to report to the Merian division of the police. We've been in and out of there since then. Last Friday, I even traveled to her village, but they claimed they hadn't seen her."
A senior police officer at the Merian Divisional Police Headquarters, who chose to remain anonymous, forwarded all the details regarding the missing girl to the control room and initiated an investigation.
The officer stated simply, "Her details have been transmitted to the controller via radio. We're actively pursuing the case."
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