Three Months On: Bayelsa Police Investigate Toddler's Church Abduction

The Bayelsa State Police Command has confirmed it is actively investigating the disappearance of a young child who reportedly vanished from the children's section of a Catholic church within the state on June 21, 2026. DSP Musa Mohammed, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for the command, verified the incident to SaharaReporters, stating that the matter was officially reported to law enforcement.

"I have confirmed that the matter is true. It was truly reported and the police is on it," DSP Mohammed affirmed. When pressed for details regarding the missing toddler's current location, the PPRO declined to provide specific information, explaining that the ongoing nature of the investigation prevents full disclosure.

DSP Mohammed elaborated, "You know if a matter is under investigation, the police is not allowed to release all information to the public that might jeopardize our work. But what I can assure you is that we are working tirelessly to rescue the toddler and to arrest and possibly arraign the suspects behind this."

According to Livinus Nwosu, an activist with whom the missing child's father spoke, the child disappeared after being entrusted to a teacher in the church's children's department during a service. The father recounted how he and his wife left their daughter with the teacher, only to be informed upon their return after the service that she could not be found. The distressed father stated that the teacher acknowledged receiving the child but was unable to account for her whereabouts.

Following the incident, the family lodged a formal complaint at a local police station. Several individuals connected to the case were reportedly taken in for questioning, though they were subsequently released. The family has since escalated the matter, petitioning higher authorities in Abuja and seeking the intervention of senior police officials to aid in the recovery of their child. The father has made a public appeal, urging Nigerians to assist in demanding the safe return of his daughter.