Hundreds of women and youths in South Ibie, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State, took to the streets in protest over the alleged escape of a suspected kidnapper and human trafficker from police custody.
The demonstrators, holding green leaves as a symbol of peace, marched to the South Ibie Divisional Police Headquarters, expressing outrage over the release of the suspect.
They accused certain officers of the division of being complicit in facilitating her escape.
The protest also extended to the palace of the traditional ruler of the community, the Aidonogie of South Ibie, Aliyu Kelvin Danesi, where the group demanded his intervention and called for the immediate rearrest of the suspect to ensure she faces justice.
The protesters claimed the suspect, a woman identified simply as Mrs. Anita, hailing from the Southeast region, was apprehended by the Edo State Security Corps (South Ibie Sector) for allegedly abducting four teenage boys. According to the group, she was handed over to the Divisional Police for investigation and possible prosecution. However, to their shock, she was reportedly released after only a few days in custody.
One of the protesters alleged, “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.”
The protester further claimed that, “Since then, they have been asking her to write a statement in the police station, and she refused. We gathered that the suspect demanded that she should 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.”
Responding to the incident, the Divisional Police Officer, CSP Anthony, addressed the demonstrators and assured them that the suspect would be apprehended again. He noted that officers on duty at the time of the incident had been reported to the Edo State Police Command for appropriate action.
Also speaking, the Aidonogie of South Ibie, Aliyu Kelvin Danesi, confirmed that the matter had been brought to the attention of the Commissioner of Police. He voiced his disappointment over the development and gave assurances that efforts were underway to bring the suspect to justice.
“I have already called the Commissioner of Police to report this matter to him. He is already aware of it and he had promised me that he would do the necessary 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, all the properties would also be seized by the government,” the monarch said.
He went on to commend the efforts of the Edo State Security Corps in South Ibie for their ongoing work in supporting the state government’s agenda to combat insecurity.
Earlier, one of the victims, identified as Ahmed Ismail, narrated the sequence of events. He claimed that the suspect had lured the four of them into a vehicle and took them to her residence. Upon arrival, she allegedly instructed them to bathe, after which she reportedly circled their heads several times with a clay pot. He added that the suspect had also scheduled a nighttime meeting with them before her arrest.
