ARIK STOWAWAY TEENAGER: I'M YET TO SEE MY SON- MOTHER CRIES OUT

Mother of the 13-year-old teenager caught hiding in the tyre hole of Arik plane from Benin to Lagos, yesterday, expressed her worries and confusion over the whereabout of her son after officials of the Department of State Services, DSS, handed him over to Edo State Ministry of Women Affairs, Tuesday.


The family of the boy, including the father, Mr Osaigbovo Oikhena, who suddenly surfaced prior to the meeting between the family and Governor Adams Oshiomhole at Government House Benin City, Tuesday, appealed to the state government to release the boy to enable him return home to his family.

The meeting which was said to have been held behind closed door lasted till about 8:30pm and the Governor instructed security agents and officials of the Ministry of Women Affairs to release the boy to the family but the mother said she was yet to see her son.

According to the mother "I just don't know what is happening now. The governor said he should be released to us but I think the ministry officials have their own plans. I don't even know where my son is kept now, I am still trying to find out what the problem is. We are missing him and we believe that he is a small boy and should not be subjected to further trauma. We thank the governor for his concern and God will bless him."

It was learnt that ministry officials believe that the stowaway boy, Daniel should be in their custody to educate him on how to avoid any form of criminality in future with a view to ensuring he uses his talents positively.

It was gathered that Governor Oshiomhole adviced the boy to be serious with his education and avoid any form of criminality, just as he assured of the state government's commitment towards ensuring that the children of the poor enjoy quality education.