Mai Pur Chan, a 13-year-old boy who escaped from his abductors in Pibor Administrative Area is seen here receiving treatment in Akobo County Hospital - COURTESY

A 13 year-old-boy abducted from Uror County in Jonglei State has returned home three days after escaping from his abductors in neighboring Pibor Administrative Area, a police official has said.

Akobo County Police Inspector, Major Tot Tut Koang said Mai Pur Chan was abducted in March this year, allegedly by armed youth from the Pibor Administrative area.

Inspector Tot told Eye Radio the boy – who arrived on Monday, May 8, 2023 – is currently receiving psychological support at Akobo Hospital.

He said the boy is yet to narrate details of his escape.

According to Inspector Tut, the minor, who still remembers his father’s phone number was able to call his father to inform him about his escape.

“The boy told us he escaped from his abductors in the Pibor Administrative area, and it took him three days to arrive here in Akobo town on the third day of his journey,” said Tut.

“The boy said he was abducted in Uror County three months ago, on his arrival, he asked for a phone to call his father because he remember his father’s phone number. After calling the phone, his father answered and the father couldn’t believe his son was still alive.”

“We had to calm the father down on the phone because he almost went crazy. The boy is now in the hospital receiving psychological support so that he is not disturbed mentally.”

For many years, child abduction has become one of the most harmful practices that have strained relations between the communities of Jonglei State and the Pibor Administrative Area.

UN’s children agency UNICEF says the abduction of children has severe consequences on the physical and psychological well-being of children, their families and their communities.