Police nab 62-year-old for child trafficking in Delta

The Special Squad of Delta State Police Command has arrested a 62-year-old woman, Vera Olunwa and one Gloria Ugbebor, in connection with alleged kidnap of a 12-year-old girl in Niger State.

Spokesman of the command, DSP Bright Edafe, told journalists in Asaba yesterday that on June 20, at about 1:20p.m., a girl
was seen roaming around a church premises in Asaba, which attracted some good Samaritans who suspected that all was not well with her, and reported to the police.

Following the report, Edafe said the Eagle net Special Squad operatives were drafted to the scene to rescue the child who was brought to the station.

He said as soon as the victim got to the station, a preliminary investigation was conducted and it later revealed that she was kidnapped along with three other kids by unknown men with a car while they were playing in their village surroundings in Niger State.

“The victim, Jamila Shagari, ‘f’, aged 16, narrated that she was 12-year-old when she was kidnapped and brought to one Mrs. Gloria Ugbebor, ‘f’, 39, resident of No.15, Kingdom Hall, Umunede community, Ika South Council of Delta State and her name was changed to Dorcas Peter by the said suspect and taken to Lagos where she was handed over to one Azubuike. She served him as a house help for two years.

“After much suffering in Mr. Azubuike’s house, she then returned to Mrs. Gloria Ugbebor in Umunede, who later handed her over to one Mrs. Vera Olunwa ‘f’ age 62, resident of opposite Koka Junction, Asaba-Ibusa express way Asaba.

“The two suspects – 39-year-old Gloria Ugbebor ‘f’ and 62-year-old Vera Olunwa ‘f’ were arrested while two other children, Nuhu Yohanna ‘m’ aged 12 years and Abednego Joshua ‘m’ aged 11 years, who were in custody of Gloria Ugbebor, was also rescued.

Effort is on to locate the biological parents of the said victim. Investigation is ongoing with a view to arrest their other accomplices.

ALSO, the PPRO, said that men of safer highway patrol arrested a 26 year-old Bernard Aloba for allegedly in possession of 20 exotic phones, charm bullet proof and laptops.

He revealed that the police were on a search duty on the Warri-Sapele road when they intercepted one Amusa transport company bus, and one of the suspects on reasonable suspicion was asked to come down with his luggage for search, during which 20 exotic phones, three laptops suspected to have been stolen, and one charm bullet proof were recovered.