After weeks of relentless investigation, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command, working in partnership with the Rivers State Command, has rescued four-year-old Hope Evans, who was abducted from his school in Port Harcourt.
The child was found in Abuja, where his name had been changed to David Evans in an effort to conceal his identity.
FCT Police Commissioner, CP Olatunji Disu, who personally led the operation, confirmed that the suspect, Blessing Okoi, abducted Hope on October 31, 2024. “The suspect went to the Model Community Nursery and Primary School in Azubie, Port Harcourt, and lured the child away by offering him biscuits and eggs,” Disu revealed.
The incident came to light when Hope’s mother, Lydia Jonah Gabriel, arrived to pick him up after school and was informed by officials that an unknown woman had taken him at around 1:28 pm. The woman, later identified as Blessing Okoi, was known locally as “Destiny’s mum” because her child attended the same school.
Upon visiting Destiny’s residence that evening, Lydia and her family discovered that the suspect had fled. Several students identified Okoi as the abductor, leading the family to report the case to the Trans Amadi Police Station. The investigation was then transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID).
Fearing that the suspect had escaped to Abuja, the boy’s aunt reported the case to the FCT Police Command. Acting swiftly, Commissioner Disu ordered a detailed investigation. Persistent efforts led the police to track Okoi to Maraba, Abuja, where she was arrested on November 29, 2024, at around 8 pm. Hope was rescued after spending over two months in captivity.
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During questioning, Okoi initially claimed to be Hope’s biological mother and referred to him as “David Evans.” However, her statements contradicted evidence provided by the boy’s actual mother, including recent photographs of him. Confronted with this proof, Okoi admitted to changing Hope’s name and confessed to deceiving her former lover into believing that Hope was his son.
The investigation also revealed that Okoi was found with another young boy, whom she claimed was her biological son, stating his father had passed away.
On December 6, 2024, Hope was reunited with his mother, Lydia, in an emotional meeting at the FCT Commissioner of Police’s office. The reunion marked the end of a two-month ordeal. Lydia expressed her profound gratitude to the police, saying, “Since this incident happened, I have not been able to sleep. My husband has been restless and even accused me of giving our son to my parents to sell, out of frustration. But I thank God the police have found my son, and I am vindicated.”
CP Olatunji Disu commended his officers for their dedication and used the occasion to urge school administrators to prioritize the safety of children under their care.
Meanwhile, Blessing Okoi remains in police custody as authorities prepare to charge her in court.
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