By: Bayero Ade
The Ondo State Police Command has dismantled a child trafficking syndicate and rescued 14 children from the clutches of a three-member gang. Those apprehended include a 62-year-old woman, Sabira Izuorah, and a couple, Isiaka Lukman (42) and Abosede Lukman (23).
According to NAN, speaking to journalists in Akure, Commissioner of Police Wilfred Afolabi disclosed that the arrests followed a report of a missing child lodged at the Okuta Elerin-Nla Police Division.
The rescue operation uncovered four infants aged between one week and two months and 10 children between two and seven years.
Investigations revealed that Izuorah, from Ihiala in Anambra State, served as the buyer, while the couple from Ibadan, Oyo State, abducted and sold the children to her for ₦1 million each.
The couple was tracked and arrested in Ottah Village, Edo State, through intelligence-led policing. During interrogation, they confessed to kidnapping children from Ondo and Osun states before trafficking them to Izuorah.
Izuorah was later apprehended in Ihiala, where four babies were discovered in her custody.
Recounting one incident, Afolabi said, “A complainant reported that a man, identified as Samuel Adejobi (real name: Isiaka Lukman), and a woman, identified as Ewatomi (real name: Abosede Olanipekun), entered her shop pretending to be siblings. While the woman played with her child, she claimed she wanted to buy biscuits for the baby.
“Meanwhile, the man distracted the shop owner by engaging her in conversation and luring her to Olukayode Plaza under the pretense of buying a mobile phone. By the time she returned, both the suspects and her child were missing.”
The commissioner assured the public that the suspects will face prosecution upon the completion of investigations. Efforts are also underway to locate and recover other children connected to the syndicate.
Leave a Reply