By Acheli Fwa
A growing wave of disappearances in Adamawa State has thrown several communities into panic, as residents report that people of all ages have gone missing within 48 hours without a trace.
Families of the missing persons say they are distressed and helpless, while many members of the public express fear over what they describe as a worsening pattern of kidnappings and unexplained disappearances across the state.
One of the recent cases involves a seven-year-old boy, Simon Samson Ibrahim, who was last seen on Sunday in the Bachure community of Yola North Local Government Area.
According to his family, Simon left the house without his parents’ knowledge and has not returned since.
Father narrates ordeal
Speaking to journalists, the child’s father, Mr. Samson Ibrahim, said the incident occurred shortly after he returned home from work that afternoon.
“I’m a security guard with an organisation here in Bachure,” he said. “When I closed from work and went home, I met my children playing. Their mother had gone to the market. My son, Simon, told me he was hungry, so I asked him to wait while I picked some money so we could go out together.”
Mr Ibrahim said he stepped into his room briefly to get the money, but when he returned, his son had disappeared.
“At first, I thought he was just playing around the neighbourhood as usual,” he explained. “I went out to ask people around, but no one had seen him. That was around 12 p.m.”
He said he waited until 5 p.m., hoping the boy would return, before alerting his wife and beginning a more extensive search.
“My son’s nickname is Fintiri, and everyone we asked said they had not seen him. Our entire neighbourhood is living in fear. We don’t know what is happening to our children. Every day, someone else goes missing.”
Police intervention
Mr Ibrahim said the family has reported the case to the police, local vigilantes and other security outfits in the area.
“I have reported to all the security agencies around. The police assured me they would carry out a thorough investigation. We are waiting for any information they can provide,” he said.
However, he added that five days have passed without any update.
“There is no news, no trace, no phone call—nothing. My wife has been crying since that day. We are in a heartbreaking situation. We can’t go to work or run our businesses because we are scared and confused.”
Call for public support
Mr Ibrahim appealed to residents and government authorities to assist the family and intensify efforts to find the child.
“We don’t have the resources to conduct large investigations on our own,” he said. “We are pleading with the public and the government to help us. Anyone who has seen my son should contact the Adamawa Police Command.”
The Adamawa State Police Command had not issued a public statement on the case at the time of filing this report.
