Police investigate alleged kidnapping of ni-Vanuatu mother and daughter

The Women Against Crime and Corruption has pledged its assistance to police in the investigation of the alleged kidnapping of a mother and her daughter from Vanuatu seven years ago

WACC Chairperson Mrs jenny Ligo condemned the act and said those responsible must face the full force of the law.

Mrs Ligo said those responsible for such an act to cause any form of action to displace women and children must be held accountable.

A 37 year old ni-Vanuatu woman and her nine year old daughter were repatriated from the Solomon Islands on Tuesday.

Reliable sources said the mother was taken to Solomon Islands seven years ago and made to refrain from contacting family members in Vanuatu.

The repatriation of the mother and daughter was made possible through arrangements between Vanuatu Police Force and the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force.

They were met at the airport by senior police officers, Mrs Ligo and the Deputy Mayor of Port Vila, Leimara Malachai.

The mother and daughter were reunited with family members upon arrival in Port Vila.

The Vanuatu police are treating the case as an “alleged kidnap” but so far, no one has been arrested nor have charges been laid in connection with the case.

In criminal law, kidnapping is the unlawful taking away or transportation of a person against that person's will, usually to hold the person unlawfully. This may be done for ransom or in furtherance of another crime, or in connection with a child custody dispute.

Loop Vanuatu