The State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development says on Thursday, July 3rd, 2025, an 18-year-old female was found wandering the streets of Lokoja by operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and was subsequently handed over to the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development for further care and intervention.
Upon admission into the Ministry’s custody, the young woman was unable to speak or provide any personal information as she appeared to be mute, although no physical injuries were observed on her body.
With the support of the NSCDC personnel, her identity was traced using her thumbprint and cross-referenced with the National Identity Number (NIN) database.l and was identified as Abdulganiyu Sofiat Wuraola of Ile Okubiyi, Idi Ape, Kwara State.
Furthermore, the Director of Planning and Research contacted the Honourable Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development in Kwara State and shared the details for further investigation and coordination.
The Ministry also conducted an online search and utilized social media to trace potential family members through intelligent communication and verification and contact was established with Sofiat’s father.
On further findings, It was revealed that Sofiat had been missing from her home in Ilorin for over a month to an unknown destination and had been declared missing by her family, who had been actively searching for her.
However on Friday, July 5th, 2025, Sofiat was officially reunited with her family at the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development office in Lokoja and handed over to her father, Mr. Ayinde Abdulganiyu.
Speaking after the handing over, the father of the girl, Mr. Ayinde Abdulganiyu expressed profound gratitude to the Kogi State Government and the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development for their swift and compassionate response, and for ensuring the safety and well-being of his daughter.
Hajia Fatimah Momoh
Kogi state Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development
