Ondo Amotekun Corps Busts Child Trafficking Syndicate
Operatives of the Ondo State Security Network Agency, also known as Amotekun Corps, have busted a notorious child trafficking syndicate that specialized in stealing children from Ondo State and selling them to another gang in Anambra State.
The syndicate’s nefarious activities were brought to light after a young boy, Eriponmile, was kidnapped in Ijoka, Davog, Akure, the state capital. The infant’s distraught parents reported the incident to the authorities, prompting Amotekun to launch a swift investigation.
According to Ondo Amotekun Commander, Adetunji Adeleye, the agency received a distress call from the Ijoka Davog area and immediately swung into action.
“Within 48 hours, our indicators showed that Eriponmile was already outside Ondo State. We spread out our dragnets, deployed our plainclothe operatives, and by the grace of God, we were able to bring Eriponmile back to Ondo State to be reunited with his mother and father,” Commander Adeleye revealed.
The Amotekun team tracked the boy to a hospital in the eastern part of the country, where he had already been tested and declared medically fit to be harvested by one Amaka, suspected to be a major player in the gruesome trade.
The operatives arrested the culprits, including Amaka Ngozi Ifeanyi, Adaeze Kenneth Etose, and Omolara, while two others are still at large.
During the parade of the suspects, Adaeze, the daughter of the alleged ringleader, Amaka, denied being part of the syndicate.
“I’m a baker, and my shop is at Sijuade. Before this incident, a lady was pregnant and said she didn’t need the baby. She met with my mom, and they took the baby to Anambra State, saying someone needed the baby there,” she claimed.
However, Amaka Ngozi Ifeanyi, the alleged ringleader, confessed to the crime.
“I used to sell clothes before my husband died. I now take babies to a motherless babies’ home in Onitsha to sell for N500,000 per child. Myself, Tosin, and Mr Adewale Olokungboye are the ones doing it,” she said.
Another suspect, Omolara, shockingly admitted to selling three of her own children, adding, “I gave them my son; Jessica, Segun, and Ojo. I sold my one-year-old baby for N500,000. When they carried out the test on him, the woman said the child is AS and they couldn’t use him because of his genotype. I don’t know the amount they eventually negotiated,” she said.
The father of the rescued boy, Eriseun Omolewo, expressed his gratitude to Amotekun for the prompt action to rescue his son.
“We have been looking for my son since last Tuesday. We came to meet the government to help us in the search for my son. Today, to the glory of God, they called me to say that he has been found. I really appreciate the government of Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa for the great effort in ensuring my son was brought back,” he said.
As the investigation continues, Amotekun has warned parents to be vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the authorities.
The agency has also appealed to the public to provide any information that may lead to the arrest of the remaining suspects.
