8th February, 2022
By Mujidat Oyewole
Operatives of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Kwara have recovered three children from an alleged human trafficker, Modupe Ajike Bello, at her residence in House B5, Cappa Street, Bacita, Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State.
Ajike was subsequently arrested for alleged involvement in human trafficking and child labour.
This is contained in a statement signed by Mr Babawale Afolabi, the Spokesperson of the command, and made available to newsmen on Monday in Ilorin.
According to the statement, the three children were recovered from Ajike following report by one Agbaje Oluwafemi at the NSCDC Bacita Divisional Office, that his 18 years old daughter, Damilola Agbaje, was missing.
“Her whereabouts had been unknown since January 18, and Damilola’s parents suspected Madam Modupe Bello, because she visited the parents few days earlier, begging them to release Damilola to her,” the spokesman said.
Afolabi said that detectives from the intelligence and investigations department swung into action and a raid was carried out at the suspect’s residence in Bacita where the three children were recovered.
He said that some photographs believed to be that of the children she had trafficked, within the age range of 13 to 18 years, were also recovered in her residence.
Afolabi said that during interrogation, the woman admitted to the fact that she used to be involved in human trafficking of children, in which the end users use them as housemaids and other strenuous labours.
He said that the suspect however denied knowing the whereabouts of Damilola.
“The State Commandant of NSCDC, Makinde Ayinla, has ordered that the matter be transferred to the Anti-human trafficking and illegal migration Unit of the corps, for proper investigations and further action to be taken,” he said.
(NAN)