Warning to parents about child abduction

By TONY PALME
CHIMBU police are warning parents and guardians about kidnapping and abduction of young children, saying their children should be taught not to accept joyrides or free-lift offers from strangers.
Detective Yatepa Welis, of the Criminal Investigation Division based in Kundiawa, said young schoolgirls and boys were vulnerable to abduction by strange men and women driving around in flashy cars.
He issued the warning after handing over four schoolgirls and a boy to their parents at Kundiawa Police Station last Thursday.
The parents of the schoolkids attending Fatima Primary School in Jiwaka found their missing children with the police after searching for them everywhere on Wednesday afternoon in Jiwaka.
After exhausting all venues, they received a phone call from Chimbu police that their children were there.
A middle-aged man (identity withheld) under the influence of alcohol picked up the four Grade 6 girls and a Grade 7 boy at Warakar on Wednesday in North Waghi before taking them to a guest house in Kundiawa and booked them a room.
Welis said the man, accused of abduction by the parents, had exposed himself to the girls and caused physical injury to the boy, according to the boy.
“The man was detained at the police station but later released. He will come back with the parents of the schoolchildren to settle the issue on May 19,” Welis said.
The boy said the man offered them a lift to Banz but did not stop there, taking them all the way to Chimbu.
He bought them beer and cigarettes before advancing on the girls.
One of the parents said the girls were taken to Kundiawa General Hospital afterwards and all tested negative, meaning that they were not abused.
“Abduction, kidnapping and rape cases are becoming so common. We have sick people in society that are preying on young schoolchildren,” Welis said.
“Parents must ensure their children go to school and return home safely.”