4 different women are each claiming to be the mother of a 6-year-old boy who was kidnapped but later rescued.
An Independent Investigation Panel (IPP) set up by the federal government to look into the activities of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and other units of the police has ordered a DNA test to verify the biological mother of the child identified as Elijah Tanko.
The Chairman of the panel being coordinated by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Justice Suleiman Galadima said that the DNA test will be carried out by an independent body employed by the Commission.
Inspector Desmond Habila, the police officer in charge of the case disclosed that Elijah was rescued in Abia State from Ifeoma Ebonyi and Emmanuel Onyekwere.
The duo are alleged to be members of a child abduction syndicate who later sold Elijah to a woman identified simply as Uloma in 2019.
Of the 4 woman who lay claim to Elijah, Esther Tanko said that the boy was abducted when she was returning from work.
The other 3 women who are also claiming Elijah as their child are Ifeyinwa Vera, Rosemary Chidiebere, and Jumui Muniat.
Meanwhile, out of all 4 women, only Mrs Tanko showed up in court and tendered a birth certificate, polio vaccination card and a photograph of the boy as exhibits.
Tanko also alleged that she reported the abduction of her child at the Bwari Police division in Abuja and identified the abductors of her son as a man and a woman.
She stated that she saw her son being paraded by the police on TV but she could not claim him because other worm were also laying claim to him.
The claim has been adjourned to November 19 for hearing.
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