EDSG Reunites Three Missing Children With Family, Urges Responsible Social Media Use

By Rosemary Okoduwa

The Edo State Government, through the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, has successfully reunited three children found wandering around Iyaro in Igusi Community, Benin City, with their parents, following a swift intervention that also debunked a viral social media claim that they had been abandoned.

The children became the subject of a widely circulated video alleging that a woman had abandoned them by the roadside. However, investigations conducted by the Ministry established that the allegation was false.
Speaking on the incident, the Coordinator of Amadin Orphanage, Mrs. Lucy Bello, explained that the children were rescued on Sunday, July 12, by the Chairman of Igusi Community, Mr. Osabuohien Aisien, who found them roaming the streets and immediately took them to the orphanage for temporary care and protection.

According to her, preliminary questioning revealed that the children had eaten the pot of food prepared by their mother. Fearing punishment, they fled from home and later became lost.

Mrs. Bello further disclosed that their mother, Mrs. Evelyn Ochade, returned from her business premises to discover that the children were missing and immediately began searching for them. During the search, she came across the viral video online and, with information provided by concerned members of the public, traced the children to Amadin Orphanage.

In line with established child protection procedures, the matter was reported to the Edo State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development by the Chairman of Igusi Community and the orphanage’s management. The Ministry subsequently conducted thorough investigations to ascertain the true circumstances surrounding the incident.

Following the verification of the children’s identities and confirmation of the facts, the Honourable Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Eugenia Abdallah, formally reunited the children with their parents during a brief ceremony at the Ministry.

Speaking during the reunification, Hon. Abdallah commended the Chairman of Igusi Community, the management of Amadin Orphanage and members of the public who acted responsibly by ensuring the children’s safety instead of leaving them vulnerable.

She reaffirmed that the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo remains firmly committed to the protection, welfare and development of every child in Edo State, stressing that no child in distress would be neglected.

The Commissioner urged parents and guardians to maintain closer supervision of their children through open communication and proper guidance to help prevent similar incidents. She also cautioned the public against spreading unverified information on social media, noting that false narratives could cause unnecessary panic, stigmatise innocent families and undermine ongoing investigations.

Hon. Abdallah further encouraged residents to promptly report cases involving missing, abandoned or vulnerable children to the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development or other relevant authorities to enable swift intervention.

Expressing appreciation to the Edo State Government, Mrs. Evelyn Ochade thanked the Ministry for its professionalism, compassion and prompt response, which ensured the safe return of her children.
The family resides at No. 14 Omoruyi Street, off Upper Lawani Street, Benin City.