The grandfather of three-year-old Talei Raikadroka has said that he would not comment about her bizarre disappearance.

Devekuta Raikadroka said as he did not want to hinder ongoing Police investigations.

He said he too had been searching frantically everywhere for his granddaughter.

Police have also launched an internal investigation, into the handling of the matter when it was first reported.

Talei went missing from Kalekana Settlement in Lami last Saturday.

Many in the community are baffled as to how a child her age could just vanish without a trace. Neighbours say they did not see the girl.

There are also whispers within the community that it was an act of something unnatural.

Talei’s maternal grandmother, Arieta Ronaiqato, said the little girl had sometimes followed her, but she had not seen Talei since last Friday morning.

“On Thursday (last week), I took biscuits for Talei. She loved her biscuits. I saw her on Friday as well. She wanted to follow me home, but I made sure she stayed near her home,” she said.

“I also look after her because her mother has a little baby to care for. Our search for her continues.”

According to the chronology of events, Talei was last seen at grandfather’s place last Friday morning.

Talei’s mother, Losalini Lailaia, assumed she was at the grandfather’s place last Saturday morning.

Ms Lailaia, last Saturday afternoon, raised the alarm that Talei was missing when she had not seen her.

Since then there has been no sign of Talei.

Talei’s father, Waisea Raikadroka, is out at sea on a foreign fishing boat and is expected to return next month.

Edited by Caroline Ratucadra

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