Bayelsa police launch investigation after toddler was abducted from Catholic church three months ago

The Bayelsa State Police Command has confirmed the abduction of a toddler who reportedly went missing from the children’s department of a Catholic church in the state on June 21, 2026.

Speaking to SaharaReporters, the command’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Musa Mohammed, confirmed that the incident was formally reported to the police.

“I have confirmed that the matter is true. It was truly reported and the police is on it,” Mohammed said.

When asked whether the police had located the current whereabouts of the missing toddler, the PPRO declined to disclose details, citing the ongoing investigation.

“You know if a matter is under investigation, the police is not allowed to release all information to the public that might jeopardize our work. But what I can assure you is that we are working tirelessly to rescue the toddler and to arrest and possibly arraign the suspects behind this.”

In a chat with activist, Livinus Nwosu, the father of the missing child claimed she disappeared after him and his wife took her to church and handed her over to a teacher in the children’s department during a service. 

He said the family returned after the church service to collect their daughter but were allegedly told that she could not be found.

The distraught father said the teacher confirmed that the child was handed over to him but could not account for her whereabouts.

He said the family subsequently reported the matter at a police station, where some individuals connected to the incident were taken in for questioning before being released.

He stated that his family petitioned authorities in Abuja and sought the intervention of senior police authorities over the matter.

He appealed to Nigerians to help him demand the safe rescue of his child.