A family in Lagos state is now looking for their two-year-old boy, Praise Otojareri, who was allegedly abducted on Sunday, December 19, by their house maid, simply identified as Favour.

Mr. Moses Otojareri, the missing boy’s father, told LIB that sometime in November, a man his wife knew came to their house in Aguda, Surulere, with two girls and said they were looking for work. He said his wife, who owns a salon, decided to hire Favour to look after their two children, a nine-year-old daughter and a two-year-old son.

According to him, on December 19, he left for church with his wife, two children, and Favor. He stated that while he was in church, his wife, a hairdresser, received a call from a customer requesting her assistance at her shop. He stated that his wife left the church and instructed Favour to report to the shop with their two children following the conclusion of the service.

Mr. Otojareri stated that immediately following the departure of his wife, Favor went to the children’s church and requested that the teachers release Praise to her. Praise was handed to her by the instructor who witnessed the infant boy accompanying Favor and his mother to church. The father stated that his wife became concerned after waiting several hours and not seeing them in her shop.

”After some hours, a call came in asking ”Are you Mummy Favour and Praise?’ She said Favour is her housemaid and Praise is her son and that she has been looking for them for some hours now. The man said they are at Ibafor in Mowe and that Favour said she missed her way that she was going to her sister’s house in Ikotun. ”he said

Mr. Otojareri stated that his wife informed the adults who responded to her request for assistance in holding Favour and her son that she was on her way to meet with them. He stated that his wife requested they drop off Favour and her son Praise at the nearest police station after the adults informed her they would be traveling further.

”By this time some people had gathered saying they wanted to beat Favour up as they suspected it was a case of kidnapping. However, an Alfa came in and asked them not to beat her.

The Alfa said he was going to take the children to the mosque with him. He collected my wife’s number and called her to inform her that he has taken favour and my child to the mosque.

While they were heading to the mosque, the Alfa said Favour told him that she was going to Ikotun to go and see her sister”

According to the upset father, Alfa brought the children to a mosque and then decided to pray. He stated that the Alfa subsequently informed his wife that following his prayers, he returned to the area of his mosque where he left Favor and Praise and did not see them again. He stated that he saw only the bag Favour was carrying, which contained Praises’ clothing.

Mr Otokareri stated that while entering the mosque, his wife sounded an alarm and also notified the police. Alfa was apprehended. Additionally, she took the police to the residence of the sister whom Favor stated she was visiting. Additionally, the alleged sister was arrested, despite her denials of any familial ties to Favour.

He stated that the matter has since been reported to the Lagos State Criminal Investigation Department and that no word has been received from Favour or his son as of today. He stated that Favour, who is approximately 14 years old, is fluent in four languages: Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, and Benue Republic. According to him, Favour is from Imo state.

He urged anyone with knowledge about his child’s whereabouts to call this number 07082873611 or contact the nearest police station.