Missing Visually Impaired Students Found After Three Months in Enugu

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has announced the recovery of two visually impaired students who went missing from a special school in Ebonyi State three months ago.

Mr. Christopher Okorie, Coordinator of the NHRC in Ebonyi, disclosed in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday that the teenagers were found in Enugu on September 11.

The students — 17-year-old Augustine Onwunyiruba, a JSS3 pupil, and 16-year-old Lawrence Onyenaturuchukwu, an SS1 student — had been missing since June 5 from the Ebonyi State Special School of the Blind, Opefia, Izzi Local Government Area.

Okorie explained that the pair reportedly fled their school after threats of punishment from senior students. They were later found wandering the streets of Abakpa Nike, Enugu, surviving by begging.

“Today, Sept. 12, 2025, the NHRC Ebonyi State office is pleased to announce that the children declared missing have been found.

Thank God, they were found in good health and have been handed over to their parents. We thank the general public, especially members of the press, for providing information that led to their recovery,” Okorie said.

The Ebonyi State Police Command also confirmed the development. Its Public Relations Officer, SP Joshua Ukandu, said the teenagers were traced through a phone contact with one of the parents.

“They have been handed over to their parents. However, we are expecting them back at the command for further questioning,” Ukandu added.

Mrs. Lovina Ikegwu, mother of Lawrence Onyenaturuchukwu, expressed gratitude to the NHRC and the police for their intervention, describing the reunion with her daughter as a great relief.