Man arraigned for travelling to Ekiti forest with 18-yr-old lover without parent’s consent

By Adetokunbo Abiola

A man, Rashidi Alabi of Iboropa-Akoko in Ondo State, has been taken into custody for traveling with an eighteen-year-old girl without informing her relatives.

The Police Public Relations Officer of the Ondo State Command, DSP Jimoh Abayomi, confirmed the incident and the recovery of the missing teenager.

The girl’s family in Ondo State reported the girl, simply named Esther, missing, but after a police  intelligence-led operation conducted by operatives of the Ondo State Police Command, she was found at a village near Ida Farm in Ekiti State, after operatives reportedly traced signals from the girl’s mobile phone to the area.

According to information obtained by The Daily Monitor, the matter was reported to the police on May 20, 2026, by the girl’s mother, Mrs. Felicia, who told investigators that her daughter had left home for an unknown destination and remained unreachable for about five days.

Detectives attached to the Ikare Division immediately commenced investigations, combining intelligence gathering, technical analysis and tracking efforts to locate the missing teenager.

Their investigation eventually led them to the discovery of the girl, said to be involved in a romantic relationship with Alabi, who reportedly informed investigators that he and the teenager had travelled together to Ekiti State for farming activities without notifying her family or obtaining their consent.

Abayomi said the successful operation underscored the command’s commitment to responding promptly to distress reports and protecting residents across the state, advising parents and guardians to maintain close communication with their children and wards, while urging young people to keep their families informed about their movements and whereabouts to prevent avoidable panic and security concerns.

Following the conclusion of investigations, the matter was charged to court for legal determination