Police arraign 3 women over alleged child-trafficking

iyebiye olawuyi

January 31, 2017 4:42 PM

Iheanacho said the court had ordered that the suspects be remanded in prison.

Court gavel

The Zone 5 Police Command has arraigned three female members of a suspected child trafficking gang at an Effuru Magistrates’ Court in Delta.

The Zonal Police Public Relations Officer (ZPPRO), DPS Emeka Iheanacho, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Benin.

He gave the names of the suspects as Cynthia Ogbeide, 37; Chioma Douglas, 40, and Onome Paul 66.

“They are being tried on allegations of abduction, exploitative labour and human trafficking of a minor and others."

“Their arrest and arraignment followed a petition by the minor, a 16-year old female, who allegedly escaped from her captives at Okere in Warri.’’

Iheanacho explained that the petitioner had allegedly met with Ogbeide, the leader of the gang, on social media–Face book.

The spokesman said the duo became friends, prompting Ogbeide to invite the petitioner to Warri for a visit with a view to getting her a job.

“The petitioner after spending few days without the hope of any job, told her host that she wanted to return to Benin."

“At which point the suspect threatened the petitioner that nobody will visit her and she will not leave the apartment.’’

Iheanacho said that the petitioner narrated how Ogbeide had similarly, brought several other women, whom she alleged were serially abused and exploited.

“Acting on credible information that the suspects had perfected plans to sell her and others to unknown persons, the petitioner escaped and returned to Benin and petitioned the AIG, accusing the suspects of human trafficking and other abominable acts.’’

He said that based on discreet investigations, the command arrested the suspects and rescued 10 other victims from the apartment.

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