Police launch manhunt after Taraba child abduction by a security guard who demanded ₦5 million ransom. Efforts continue to rescue the 2-year-old safely.
Police in Taraba State have launched an intensive manhunt for a security guard accused of abducting his employer’s two-year-old son in a disturbing case of Taraba child abduction that has sent shockwaves through the community.
The incident was reported on Sunday, September 21, 2025, by the boy’s mother, Mrs. Ujuwan Okosun.
According to her, the suspect, identified as Amos Kini, vanished with her son, Ivan, after also taking away her mobile phone.
A few hours later, her husband received a call from that same phone. On the line was the guard, who allegedly demanded a ₦5 million ransom in exchange for the toddler’s safe release.
Following the distress call, detectives from the Taraba State Police Command moved quickly.
Officers stormed the family’s residence, secured the area, and arrested Aruna Dauda, who had served as the guarantor for Kini’s employment. Dauda is currently assisting investigators.
A senior officer confirmed that the command had deployed tactical teams to pursue the fleeing suspect.
“We are determined to track him down and rescue the child unhurt. Our priority is the safety of the boy, and our men are working round the clock,” the officer said.
For the Okosun family, the ordeal has been devastating. Neighbours described Mrs. Okosun as inconsolable as she recounted how a trusted guard turned into a threat.
“We never thought something like this could happen in our home,” she reportedly told relatives.
Her pain captures the fear and helplessness that many Nigerian parents feel amid rising cases of child abduction.
In the wake of the incident, the Taraba Police Command urged citizens to remain alert and provide timely information to law enforcement.
“Security is not the job of the police alone,” a spokesperson said.
“We encourage residents to carefully screen domestic staff and report any suspicious behaviour. Information shared in good time can save lives.”
The Taraba child abduction highlights a growing trend in Nigeria where kidnappers increasingly target children for ransom.
Experts warn that in many cases, the perpetrators are not strangers but trusted insiders such as drivers, cooks, or guards who exploit inside knowledge of a family’s routines.
This has left families across the country struggling to balance trust and caution in managing household security.
The arrest of guarantor Aruna Dauda has reignited debate over Nigeria’s reliance on guarantors when employing domestic staff.
While the system is meant to ensure accountability, critics argue that it often fails because guarantors are rarely vetted themselves.
Security analysts are calling for reforms such as mandatory police clearance, background checks, and proper documentation before domestic workers are hired.
“Families cannot afford to rely on informal promises when it comes to the safety of their children,” one expert noted.
Security analyst Zagazola Makama said the case will test the effectiveness of the police in Taraba.
“The public is watching closely. The speed and success of this operation will determine whether residents believe the police can protect them,” he observed.
Indeed, the safe recovery of the boy will not only bring relief to his family but also help restore trust in a security system many Nigerians feel has been weakened by rising crime.
News of the abduction spread rapidly across Taraba, stirring fear among parents. Some residents have begun considering neighborhood watch groups and increased use of security technologies like CCTV cameras. Local leaders have also spoken out, urging collective responsibility.
“Security cannot be left to the police alone,” a traditional ruler in Jalingo said.
“Every household must take precautions, and communities must watch over one another. This tragedy should be a wake-up call.”
Experts warn that child abduction cases inflict long-lasting trauma on victims and their families.
Even when children are rescued, they may suffer psychological scars from fear, isolation, and uncertainty. Parents often battle guilt, anxiety, and lingering mistrust long after the ordeal.
Child psychologists are urging the government to provide post-rescue care for victims and families.
“Rescuing the child is only the first step. Healing the emotional wounds is just as important,” one professional advised.
As the manhunt intensifies, the Okosun family clings to hope that their son will soon be returned safely.
The prayers of the community and the determination of security agencies are united in the mission to reunite them.
But beyond this single case, the Taraba child abduction underscores urgent national questions: How can Nigeria better protect children? How can families balance trust with caution? And how can law enforcement be strengthened to respond swiftly to threats of kidnapping?
Until those answers are found, parents across Nigeria will continue to live with unease, hoping their children are never caught in the terrifying grip of abduction.
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