45-yr-old woman arrested over alleged child trafficking

Yekini Jimoh, Ilorin - 29.07.2008

THE Kwara State command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested a 45-year-old woman for alleged child trafficking.

Mrs. Rachael Abel was arrested on Osi/Odo-Owa Road in Ekiti Local Government Area while conveying 26 children in a bus to Ogbomosho in Oyo State. The suspect was said to be coming from Benue State with the children whose ages range from two to 15 years before the vehicle developed a mechanical fault.

The officer of the NSCDC in charge of Ekiti axis, Mr. Jolayemi Samuel, told newsmen that the suspect claimed that the 26 children were pupils and students in Benue State and were being taken to Ogbomosho for holidays with their respective parents and guardians.

However, he said some of the children said they were being taken to Ogbomosho to work and be paid. According to him, one of the children said they were being taken to the town to work on a farms as labourers and as house helps.

Meanwhile, the spokesman of the command, Mr. Kadir Ibrahim, said the suspect and the children would be handed over to the anti-human trafficking unit of the state police command as soon as the corps completed investigation.

Ibrahim warned individuals and groups against human trafficking and child abuse, saying that they were crimes against humanity.