The police in Ondo State have apprehended a three-person syndicate, including 62-year-old Sabira Izuorah and a couple, Isiaka and Abosede Lukman.
They allegedly specialized in child stealing and trafficking, prompting significant concern in the community.
Mr. Wilfred Afolabi, the state Commissioner of Police (CP), disclosed these details while addressing newsmen in Akure.
He emphasized the importance of community vigilance and cooperation in combating such heinous crimes.
The suspects were arrested following a report of a missing child at the Okuta Elerin-Nla Division in Akure.
This case led to an investigation that uncovered the disturbing activities of the syndicate operating in the region.
Afolabi confirmed the recovery of four babies, aged one week to two months, and ten children, aged two to seven years, during the operation.
These recoveries highlight the urgent need for continued efforts against child trafficking.
The CP explained that Izuorah, originally from Ihiala in Anambra State, acted as the buyer.
Police traced and arrested 42-year-old Isiaka and 23-year-old Abosede, identified as sellers in this criminal enterprise, in Ottah Village, Edo State.
This strategic approach underscores the effectiveness of collaboration among law enforcement agencies.
During interrogation, the couple admitted to abducting children from Ondo and Osun States.
Their confessions revealed a shocking pattern of child theft and trafficking that had been ongoing for some time.
Afolabi further stated that the couple sold their victims to Sabira in Ihiala, Anambra State, for N1 million per child.
This alarming revelation raises serious questions about the scale of child trafficking in the region.
The police boss confirmed the arrest of Sabira in Ihiala, where officers found four babies in her custody.
This discovery is a critical step in addressing the child trafficking issue in the area.
A complainant reported that a man, Samuel Adejobi (real name: Lukman Isiaka), and a woman, Ewatomi (real name: Abosede Olanipekun), visited her shop pretending to be siblings.
Their deceptive tactics highlight the manipulative strategies employed by traffickers.
While playing with the complainant’s child, Abosede deceived her, claiming she wanted to buy biscuits for the baby.
This distraction allowed the couple to execute their plan without raising immediate suspicion.
Lukman engaged the complainant in conversation, asking her to accompany him to Olukayode Plaza in the market for a mobile phone.
This tactic effectively diverted her attention away from her child.
Upon returning to the shop, the complainant realized her child was missing, and there was no trace of Abosede.
This was particularly alarming, as she believed Abosede was the sister of the man she had followed earlier.
This incident underscores the dangers posed by such criminal networks.
“Afolabi said investigators will charge the suspects in court upon completing their investigations.”
Additionally, efforts are ongoing to locate and rescue other children currently on the missing list, emphasizing the police’s commitment to addressing this crisis.