Missing Charity Aiyedogbon: Group Urges Police to Address Nigerians on Findings

Abimbola Akosile

A civil society organisation, Coalition against Crime (CAC) has called on the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris and Force Public Relations Officer, Donald Awuna, to address Nigerians on the extent of their investigations on the controversial disappearance of an Abuja-based woman, Charity Aiyedogbon.

National Coordinator of the group, Harrison Pepple, who made the call while addressing newsmen in Abuja, weekend, expressed concerns over the continued silence of the Police hierarchy on the matter, describing it as an unhelpful strategy.

“Recall that one Charity Aiyedogbon aka Chacha was declared missing on social media. She is said to have been missing since May 10, 2016 and family, friends and security agencies have been working round the clock to unravel the mystery behind her sudden disappearance. Impeccable sources have revealed that the Monitoring Unit of the office of Nigeria’s Inspector General of Police, handling the matter has made substantial progress. The missing woman’s vehicle has been recovered. Two of her handsets have also been recovered.

“No fewer than six persons are said to have been arrested so far, in connection with the matter. Plans are said to have been concluded to conduct a DNA on a dismembered body displayed online by a Lagos lawyer, claiming to be that of the missing Charity, among other developments. Different persons have come up with unsubstantiated claims and counter claims on the matter. At this stage, the Police have made substantial progress in the matter and should address Nigerians on the situation; if not for anything, to assure Nigerians that they are doing their best to unravel the mystery behind Charity Aiyedogbon’s disappearance.”

Pepple urged the Police to declare other suspects at large wanted, and if possible, put a price tag on them, so that Nigerians and the international community will notify them wherever they are seen.

“A woman is missing and some persons suspected to have a hand in her disappearance, by evidence and intelligence at Police disposal refused to show up at the Police, but prefer to be on the run. For instance, a prime suspect in possession of the woman’s vehicle is on the run and the Police claims to be looking for him. Why has he not been declared wanted? Also, it is obvious that Charity Aiyedogbon is missing and this has been confirmed by several people, including through written petitions to the Police.

“Why have the Police not officially declared her missing so whoever sees her anywhere will notify the Police or her relatives? Police should show more seriousness in this case by doing the needful: address Nigerians on the extent of their investigations, declare the suspects on the run wanted and officially declare Charity Aiyedogbon missing, so Nigerians will be reassured that they are on top of the matter.

“Anyone that says that it is premature to address the Press on the matter is allowing space for speculations and rumours. If we think it will scare the suspects on the run to hide further; now that you refused to talk to the Press, have they surrendered voluntarily?”

He however urged Nigerians to insist on diligent investigation and prosecution of whoever has questions to answer on the matter, even as he urged citizens to volunteer useful information to the Police in order to ensure that justice is done.