Ebonyi: Parents of missing 2 blind students petition Gov. Nwifuru, police for intervention

By, Uchenna Okeh, Abakaliki 

The Parents of the missing two blind students in Ebonyi State have petitioned governor, Francis Nwifuru and heads of various security agencies for urgent intervention.

All efforts to find the whereabouts of the two blind children since July 5th 2025 are unsuccessful.

The Nations News reports that the victims were partially visually impaired students of Special Secondary School,  Opefia Community in Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi.

Augustine Onwunyiruba, male, 17, JS3 and Onyenaturuchukwu Lawerence, female, 16, SS1 respectively. 

The parents, while speaking with reporters in Abakaliki on Friday said, they were still confused at the sudden disappearance of their children from the school on June 5, 2025.

The Parents; Mr Lawerence Ikegwu and Mr Onwunyiruba Odinaka in their report submitted to the office of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in the state, said the children were last seen on June 5.

“When we got the information, we felt it was just a joke, even up till date.

“We have been moving around in search of them but all to no avail. The school management has not been serious over the matter, especially one of the principal Mr Solomon Mbam.

“We have reported this matter to the Police, but since then, no good result. Though the police have been on top of it, yet to find the whereabouts of our children.

“We need your intervention (Human Rights), over this matter, at least, to let the School Authority know that we are talking about human being.Thanks for granting our request.

“We, therefore, call on our Governor, Francis Nwifuru, to help us ensure that our children are found and return home safely.

“We want the police to deepen their investigations. We don’t have money, please, we need the help of the general public too; we want our children to come back healthy and sound,” the Parents pleaded.

SP Joshua Ukandu, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Ebonyi Command said, they were aware of the matter, noting that the incident occurred on June 5.

Ukandu said that the officers and men of the command have been on investigations to find their whereabouts.

Electricity: Gov. Oyebanji partners REA to light up Ekiti communities 

“The Command has been investigating the matter and we have disseminated this information to other commands in the state and even through the radio to the general public.

“Unfortunately, no information on their whereabouts till date. It’s too bad,” the PPRO stated.

Mr Christopher Okorie, Coordinator of the NHRC in the state said the Commission has been following up the matter to ensure that the children are found alive.

Okorie condemned the incident and called on all relevant agencies to do all that is necessary to see that the children are found and safe.

“My heart goes with the parents as I urge them to remain steadfast until the relevant agencies get to the roots of this matter,” the Coordinator added.