Anambra police seek public help to locate family of 10 years old missing boy

Missing boy

The Anambra State Police Command has launched an appeal for information after a 10‑year‑old boy went missing in Okpoko, a community in Ogbaru Local Government Area, on November 1. The child, identified as Chinecherem Onuwasoanya, left his home to play and later could not find his way back, prompting a resident to take him to the nearest police station. Authorities say the youngster told officers he is from Ebenebe, a town in the same state.

Police officials say the first step was to interview the child as soon as he arrived at the Okpoko Police Division. During that preliminary interaction, he confirmed that he had set out for a game with friends but lost track of his route home. He could not recall the names of his parents or guardians, though he did mention his hometown, which gave investigators a starting point for their search.

The resident who found the boy described the scene as “a little kid wandering alone, looking scared and confused.” He immediately escorted the child to the police station, a move praised by officers as responsible and timely. The police thanked the good Samaritan, noting that community cooperation often speeds up the recovery of lost children.

Anambra State Police Command has mobilised its resources to locate the boy’s family. Officers are reaching out to community leaders in Ebenebe and nearby villages, hoping to trace relatives who might have been away from home on the day of the incident. The command also plans to circulate the child’s photograph in local markets and through social media channels to widen the net of potential witnesses.

According to the police spokesperson, the investigation is being treated with urgency because children are especially vulnerable when separated from their families. “We are working round the clock to reunite the boy with his parents,” the officer said, adding that any tip, no matter how small, could prove decisive. The command has set up a dedicated hotline for anyone with information to contact the Okpoko Police Division directly.

Local authorities have reminded residents that missing child cases are not uncommon in the region, often arising from children playing unsupervised near busy roads or unfamiliar neighbourhoods. In many instances, swift action by neighbours and police leads to quick reunions, but delays can increase risks. Community awareness campaigns have been launched in recent years to educate parents on supervising children and to encourage prompt reporting of any unusual sightings.

The police appeal is also a reminder of the broader challenges faced by law enforcement in rural Nigeria, where limited resources and vast terrains can hamper rapid response. Nevertheless, the Anambra State Police Command has a track record of handling similar incidents, having successfully reunited several missing children with their families over the past decade. Their experience is being leveraged now to ensure that the missing boy is found safely.

Family members of the child have not yet been publicly identified, and the police have not disclosed any further details about the boy’s parents. This discretion is intended to protect the privacy of the family while the investigation proceeds. The command urges anyone who recognizes the boy or recalls seeing a family matching his description to come forward without delay.

In the meantime, schools in the area have been alerted to the incident, with teachers instructed to monitor pupils closely and to report any unusual behaviour. Parents are being asked to reinforce safety measures at home, such as setting clear boundaries for where children can play and ensuring they have a way to contact guardians if they become lost.

The appeal has already generated a wave of responses on local radio stations, where community members have been urged to call in with any leads. Some callers have reported seeing a small boy fitting the description near a market on the afternoon of November 1, though verification is still pending. Police teams are following up on each tip, cross‑checking details against the information provided by the child.

As the search continues, the police remain hopeful that the missing boy will be reunited with his family within days. They have reiterated that the public’s cooperation is essential, and they stand ready to provide assistance to anyone who comes forward with relevant information. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities will update the public as new developments emerge.