Thursday 5 September 2013

Mother expresses concern over whereabout of stowaway boy

By SIMON EBEGBULEM

BENIN CITY— MOTHER of the 13-year stowaway boy, Mrs Evelyn Oikhena, yesterday, expressed confusion over the whereabout of her son, Daniel after officials of the Department of State Services, DSS, handed him over to Edo State Ministry of Women Affairs, Tuesday.

The family of the boy, including the father, Mr Osaigbovo Oikhena, who surfaced prior to the meeting between the family and Governor Adams Oshiomhole at Government House Benin City, Tuesday, appealed to the state government to release the boy to enable him return home to his family.

The meeting between the family and Governor Oshiomhole held at close door lasted till about 8:30pm, but Mrs Oikhena, who spoke to Vanguard, yesterday, said that the governor had instructed the security agents and officials of the Ministry of Women Affairs to release the boy to the family but that she was yet to see him back home.

[caption id="attachment_411117" align="alignnone" width="412"]Evelyn Oikhena and son, Daniel Oikhena Evelyn Oikhena and son, Daniel Oikhena[/caption]

“I just don’t know what is happening now. The governor said he should be released to us but I think the ministry officials have their own plans. I don’t even know where my son is kept now, I am still trying to find out what the problem is. We are missing him and we believe that he is a small boy and should not be subjected to further trauma. We thank the governor for his concern and God will bless him.”

Vanguard learnt that ministry officials believe that the stowaway boy should be in their custody to educate him on how to avoid any form of criminality in future with a view to ensuring he uses his talents positively.

It was further learnt that Governor Oshiomhole had admonished the boy to be serious with his education and avoid any form of criminality, just as he assured of the state government’s commitment towards ensuring that the children of the poor enjoy quality education.

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