The missing man, Azekwo |
When Mr Emmanuel Azekwo, 56, left home at 9, Salvation Str., Powerline, Isheri-Idimu, for the Living Faith Bible Church, Canaan Land, Otta, in a designated Church bus on Sunday, March 16, 2014, he definitely looked forward to receiving his healing after a period of illness, but as at now, he remains missing.
This development has kept both his Church and his family very worried, as no one could tell if he walked away shortly after the service started or if he followed a bus to another destination and missed his way.
An older sister to the missing man, Madam Veronica Azekwo, said that although he suffered some loss of memory after a stroke attack, he believed that seeking spiritual help would bring healing to him.
“After the stroke attack, my brother got better with treatment, but the doctor identified that he suffered some memory loss and he was being treated for that, which he was also responding to until the day he did not come back home,” she said.
Madam Azekwo said that when Emmanuel(AKA sacramento) did not return home later that evening of March 16, the family got worried and decided to check with his local parish of the Church.
She said that the bus driver, who took them to the Church, confirmed that he alighted from the bus with other people and went into the worship area like every other person.
The driver, however, could not tell if Azekwo came back with the bus because it was not mandatory for people to follow the same bus back to their pick up point, as they could follow any other bus.
Madam Azekwo said that while the Church prayed for her brother’s return, the family reported the case at the Idimu Police Station on March 19. They also reported him missing at the Sango police Station on March 20, since the Church is at Sango.
She said that they also reported to the Nigerian television Authority about the missing man on March 24. They had hoped that with the information on a national television, he could be identified easily by people who may have seen him.
The family has been in pains and going through nightmare since the father of five, who hails from Ogwashi-Ukwu in Delta State, went missing. His sister disclosed that while he took his medication, he did everything averagely well and that was why he could leave for Church.
She however expressed fear that since he had been without his medication since March 16, his memory condition may have gone worse.
The family appeal to loving Nigerians to look out for him and report to the nearest police station.
“I beg every kind-hearted person out there to please help us report to the nearest police station if you see any strange man wandering around your area. The Church has been praying for his return just as the police have been working too,” Madam Azekwo said.