The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has commenced an investigation into the disappearance of two children after a woman allegedly vanished with them while they were left in her care.

The incident has generated widespread concern following the circulation of a viral video on social media, in which the children’s distraught family appealed for urgent help in locating them.

According to preliminary information, the children had been entrusted to their neighbour while their mother attended to other engagements. However, when she returned home, both the woman and the children were nowhere to be found, prompting fears that they had been abducted.

Confirming the development, the Akwa Ibom Police Command said it had launched a full-scale investigation and activated efforts to trace the missing children and apprehend anyone connected with their disappearance.

Police said detectives are reviewing available evidence, gathering statements from witnesses and tracking possible leads generated from the viral footage and other intelligence received from members of the public.

The command urged residents to remain calm and avoid circulating unverified information that could hinder the investigation, while encouraging anyone with credible information on the whereabouts of the children or the suspect to immediately report to the nearest police station.

Authorities also appealed to the public to assist by sharing only verified information that could aid rescue efforts, assuring that the welfare and safe recovery of the children remain the priority.