By Jethro Ibileke
Angry women and youths of South Ibie community, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State, have accused operatives of South Ibie Divisional Police headquarters of masterminding the escape of a suspected female human trafficker from their custody.
They made the allegation during a protest at the police station’s premises.
The protesters, who also visited the palace of the traditional ruler of the community, the Aidegonigie of South Ibie, Alhaji Aliyu Kelvin Danesi, called for the rearrest of the suspect, simply identified as Mrs. Anita, to face justice.
They alleged that Anita, who hails from the South-eastern part of the country, was arrested by members of the Edo State Security Corps in South Ibie, for allegedly abducting four male teenagers.
They further alleged that the Security Corps handed over the suspect to the Divisional Police headquarters for investigation and prosecution, but they were surprised that a few days later, she was released.
One of the protesters, who declined to mention her name, alleged that the suspect kidnapped the victims with the promise of taking them to Lagos state to learn internet fraud, otherwise known as Yahoo Yahoo.
She said: “We are protesting because of the kidnapping of our children by a lady, and she said she wants to take them to Lagos state to teach them how to do Yahoo Yahoo. We also heard that she wants to go and sell the four boys in Lagos.
“Since then, they have been asking her to write a statement at the police station, but she refused.
“We gathered that the suspect demanded that she be taken to the Auchi Area Command before she would write any statement.
“She has been boasting that she has people, and she can never be arrested and detained. Today, we are here protesting because we heard that she has been released by the police.”
Addressing the protesters, the Divisional Police Officer of the station, CSP Anthony, assured them that the suspect would be rearrested.
Anthony informed them that the officers on duty when the incident happened have been reported to the authorities of the State Command.
The paramount ruler of the community, Alhaji Aliyu Kelvin Danesi, who expressed disappointment over the incident, told the protesters that he had personally reported the matter to the State Commissioner of Police.
“I have already called the Commissioner of Police to report this matter to him. He is already aware of it, and he has promised me that he would do the needful to see that the woman is apprehended.
“The issue of trafficking and kidnapping of humans is not a minor offence. It is a felony, and the government of Governor Mobday Okpebholo is not taking the issue lightly.
“He has taken a stand that when someone is caught for the offence of kidnapping and trafficking in humans, not only will the person be prosecuted and handed the necessary sentence, but all the properties will also be seized by the government,” Danesi added.
The traditional ruler commended the efforts of the Edo State Security Corps, the South Ibie sector, for fighting insecurity in the kingdom.
Narrating their ordeal, one of the victims, Ahmed Ismail, alleged that the suspect took the four of them into a vehicle and drove them to her house.
He added that after asking them to take their bath, the suspect passed a clay pot around their heads several times and scheduled a night meeting with them before her arrest.
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