Missing boy found, kidnappers arrested

Missing boy found, kidnappers arrested JESSICA BOTES

The police yesterday arrested a man and a woman at Outapi for allegedly having abducted a two-year-old boy in the Erongo Region more than a week ago.

Miguel Ndakula Hinaunye Aluvilu (1 year and 11 months old) was found unharmed with them and was placed in police care until he can be reunited with his mother today.

The suspects, 20-year-old mother of three Eline Nangula and her boyfriend, allegedly kidnapped the toddler shortly after Nangula had fetched him for a regular outing from his mother’s house in Mondesa at around 11:00 last Wednesday morning.

Chief Inspector Erastus Iikuyu of the Erongo police confirmed the arrest yesterday, and said the boy and his mother would be reunited today in Swakopmund.

He said the reasons for the abduction and further details about the tracing of the kidnappers and missing child could not be made public yet.

On Monday, Aluvilu’s mother, Ndahafa Namweya (25), said she had given a friend permission to take the child for a pizza, something that they did regularly.

The police say when Namweya realised that her friend and her son had gone missing she immediately contacted the police.

“The mother gave permission to her friend to take the child so that they could spend some time together. Nangula never returned with the boy and although his mother tried to call several times, she never picked up,” Iikuyu said.

An immediate manhunt was launched, with police following leads that pointed to Angola and the Omusati Region, areas with close family links to Nangula.

Namweya earlier told reporters: “I can’t sleep, I am a nervous wreck. How can someone you view as a good friend since 2013 do something like this? She already has three children, so I cannot understand why she would take my only child.”

She added that she had been at the clinic when Nangula fetched the boy.

“It wasn’t unusual. She regularly fetched him to spend time with him,” she said.

The suspects will be transferred to the Erongo Region where they will be charged and stand trial.

Police say the suspects are expected to make their first court appearance in Swakopmund on Friday.

Anyone who has information that can be helpful to the police investigation is urged to contact Chief Inspector Iikuyu at 081 246 4757.