Ariel, Où es-tu?
I detest when people say; ‘‘I understand what you are going through”. Hey! You don’t know Jack because you ain’t me. I think people should refrain from using that phrase.
And I know that the family of Frederic Koukou, must have heard such statements over and over again.
Only this family knows their pains, anguish and fears. How do you explain this? Two years running, their beloved 10 year-old son: Ariel (He would have celebrated his 12th birthday this year) walked to visit his friend in some blocks of apartments and never returned home. His friend in question was not home.
I came in contact with the news in April 2018. I was on my way to school when my eyes caught the advert. The caption was in bold letters announcing a missing child: Ariel.
His expressive and innocent eyes caught my attention. It was as if there was a telepathic connection between his image and my mind. It was like the eyes of a seraph begging a mere mortal for assistance.
I was overwhelmed by emotions, became shaky, clumsy and almost dizzy. Sweat oozed out of me like pellets of rain. A lady‘s voice filtered into my thought, asked in French if I was alright and if she should call 911. I was teary by now, my emotions running roller coaster. There was really no need for that. I muttered merci (Thank you) under my breath.
I know if my reaction had happened now (COVID-19 pandemic), I would probably have been whisked away by paramedics to be treated for possible infection.
Only a mother knows the pain of losing a child. One of my colleagues who lost her first child after two days of nursing and bonding at the hospital some eight years ago went through excruciating pain. Eventually God compensated her with two lovely boys in succession.
Losing a child is hard. Even abortion guilt has its post trauma effect, ask most women who have undergone the procedure not to talk of a child who was raised in loving tender arms of a family for 10 solid good years and not to be seen again.
Ariel, where art thou?
As at 2018, my youngest child, Clinton was eight years old and my mind flashed back to the painful pregnancy experience, morning sickness, uncomfortable pains in the lower abdomen, cramps and back pain that a mother go through carrying the ‘extra KG’, midnight cravings, every minute urinary sensation and of course the demonic nightmares.
Experiencing his first toothy smile, his first gibberish talk even when his first word was ‘Dada’ (Daddy) and his first day at school were architecturally designed as a spiritual memoir by the Creator. Then suddenly, this baby clocks 10. Ten good solid years, only to disappear into thin air.
Où êtes-vous fils?
Ariel disappeared from his home, his street, his neighbourhood at Ahuntsic Cartierville Borough in Montreal, the French speaking and most peaceful province of Canada.
Ariel Jefferey Koukou, please where are you?
You took permission from your mummy before donning a black jacket, gray pants and yellow shoes to visit your friend. What happened?
Cute Ariel was 4.6 inches and 90 pounds when he left home on March 12, 2018.
Security surveillance later showed his footage of him speed walking, looking over his shoulders fearfully but never got home. The footage saw the frightened boy entered the Parc Des Bateller but never exited.
If he never left, where is he? He is not a needle. Oh Lord of Children, look out for Ariel please!
Was he abducted? And in case, he was accidentally killed, drowned near the park by his abductors or taken to another country in a garbage bag ,back of a car boot or locked in a basement somewhere around the blocks of apartment close to his home (Too much of crime TV), someone should say something for posterity sake.
Has anyone seen Ariel? Please say something. This innocent child could be yours too.
His parents need answers. The SPVM need more leads. The Mayor wants the nightmare to end ASAP. The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau is over burdened by this too. We all need answers.
Ariel’s father said, “Our child is still missing. Our son is a good boy and he did not run away. He has no behavioural issues. Love is the most important thing we have to share. If that person needs love, we are ready to give that person love. In the beginning, my wife was totally down, but with prayers, with the presence of our friends, she feels better now. Our daughter doesn’t have the same feeling as us but sometimes she will ask to know where her brother is. But she always says prayers to God to protect Ariel and she’s hopeful Ariel will be back soon.”
I know that that the Service de Police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM) work diligently without being prodded. Investigations are ongoing but we can still be on the lookout for Ariel.
This is a clarion call. If you know someone who knows something about Ariel, please be bold to say something. Please give a discreet call to the SPVM on +1514 393 1133 or the missing children’s network on +1888 692 4673.
