The family of seven-year-old Mercy Akande is in distress following her disappearance in the Sango Ota area of Ogun State. Mercy was last seen on Monday, December 23, 2024, near her mother’s Point of Sale (PoS) terminal in the community.

Details of the Incident

According to family accounts, an unidentified man, a regular customer at Mercy’s mother’s PoS stall, is suspected to be involved in her disappearance. The man, known for frequenting the stall to withdraw money and buy recharge cards, had reportedly developed a friendly relationship with the young girl, often buying her food and giving her money.

On the day of the incident, the man bought food for Mercy and later sent her to purchase a sachet of water. Jude, a nephew of Mercy’s mother, explained that the man intercepted her on her way back.

“The man sent her to buy pure water. On her way back, he approached her halfway to get the sachet water from her. The mum saw this and wasn’t comfortable but was distracted by other customers. By the time she turned back to check, both the man and Mercy were nowhere to be found,” Jude recounted.

Immediate Search and Police Report

Following the incident, Mercy’s mother launched a frantic search for her daughter but was unable to locate her. Attempts to reach the suspect via phone were unsuccessful as his line became unreachable.

The family reported the case to the nearest police station in Sango Ota. However, Mercy’s cousin, identified on X (formerly Twitter) as Miyakee, disclosed that the family faced challenges with the police response.

“We have reported to a police station in Sango, and the struggling mom has been asked to pay a total of ₦10,000 to report the case (she has done that) and an additional ₦30,000 to track the man’s phone number,” Miyakee wrote.

Hurdles in Investigation

The family expressed frustration with the procedural delays and costs associated with filing the report and obtaining assistance. Mercy’s mother reportedly paid ₦8,000 to file her statement and ₦2,000 to print pictures of her missing daughter. Efforts to secure a court affidavit, required to track the suspect’s phone number through the service provider, were unsuccessful due to the holiday season.

The family also lamented the lack of prompt response from law enforcement, with the state Police Public Relations Officer, Omolola Odutola, unresponsive to calls and messages as of the time of this report.

Social Media Advocacy and Public Outcry

The case has sparked discussions on social media about the challenges faced by families of missing persons, particularly the financial burdens placed on them during investigations. Many users have criticized the bureaucratic delays and called for reforms to ensure swift and cost-free support for such cases.

Safety Concerns and Preventive Measures

Mercy’s disappearance underscores the importance of vigilance in public spaces, especially for parents and guardians of young children. Advocates have emphasized the need for:

• Educating children about the dangers of interacting with strangers.
• Strengthening community awareness and reporting mechanisms.
• Ensuring adequate resources and training for law enforcement to handle missing person cases efficiently.

Call for Action

As the family awaits further developments, they are calling on the Ogun State Police Command and relevant authorities to expedite efforts to locate Mercy and bring the suspect to justice.

The disappearance of Mercy Akande serves as a grim reminder of the vulnerabilities children face and the urgent need for effective systems to protect them and respond promptly to such incidents.