8 charged to court over disappearance of toddler in Bayelsa Church

Bayelsa State Police Command has charged eight suspects to Court over the sudden disappearance of Amarachi Blessing Ogbonna, a one-year, ten-month-old female child, from a church premises in the State on June 21, 2026.

Amarachi had gone missing during a church service after the mother dropped her at the children section of the church, but after the service, the children’s teachers could not explain the whereabouts of the child.

Police spokesman in Bayelsa State, DSP Musa Mohammed, said in a statement on Friday that eight suspects have been charged to court, awaiting arraignment, as investigation continues to recover the missing child.

He said, “The Bayelsa State Police Command is aware of the narrative making the rounds on social media platforms alleging inactivity by the Police following the sudden disappearance of Amarachi Blessing Ogbonna, a one-year, ten-month-old female child, from a church premises in Bayelsa State on 21st June, 2026.

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“The Command wishes to state, for the avoidance of doubt, that the narrative does not reflect the true nature of the event. Upon receipt of the report, the operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), acting on the directive of the Commissioner of Police, swiftly took over the investigation from Ekeki Division and commenced intensive investigative efforts.

“In the course of the investigation, suspects connected to the disappearance were identified and arrested. Based on the facts and evidence so far established, eight suspects have been charged to court and are awaiting arraignment before the High Court of Bayelsa State, Yenagoa Judicial Division, in Charge No. BYHC/YHC/CR./81/2026. Other persons whose involvement was not established were released on bail.

The Command further clarified that the delay in the arraignment of the suspects was not due to police inaction, but arose from the vacation of the courts.

The statement added that the courts resumed proceedings this week, and the matter is expected to proceed accordingly.

The statement added, “While the suspects await arraignment, the Police investigation remains active, with sustained efforts directed towards the safe recovery of Amarachi Blessing Ogbonna and her eventual reunion with her family.

“The Command is pursuing all credible leads and will continue to take every lawful step necessary to unravel the circumstances surrounding her disappearance.

“The Bayelsa State Police Command therefore urges members of the public to exercise caution in relying on unverified narratives circulating on social media, particularly on sensitive cases involving children, as such narratives can create unnecessary public apprehension and obscure the facts of an ongoing investigation.”