Amotekun operatives in Osun State have apprehended a 23-year-old man, Isaac Okon, on charges of alleged human trafficking. The arrest, which took place on Thursday, February 29, 2024, around 6:45 pm, involved five young boys and occurred along Ajebandele, Osun State.
The Corps Commander, Brigadier General Bashir Adewinmbi, disclosed this information on Saturday. He revealed that the suspect was allegedly transporting his kidnapped victims without the knowledge or consent of their parents or relatives. The boys, originally from Akwa Ibom State, were under the impression that they were being taken to Lagos for work. However, unbeknownst to them, they were being transported to Osun State to work on a farm.
General Adewinmbi explained, “The suspect was arrested by the men of Amotekun in Ifetedo after the driver of the vehicle that transported them from Akwa Ibom to Osun State noticed strange things in the vehicle. The driver immediately complained to Amotekun Ifetedo Command in Ife South local government and Amotekun Ife Area Commander was informed about the incident."
Upon receiving the information, the operatives swiftly swung into action and arrested the culprit on the spot. During interrogation, Isaac confessed to trafficking the young boys without the consent of their parents or relatives. He admitted to meeting the young boys at a motor park in Akwa Ibom State, where they were begging for money. He offered them jobs in Lagos State, which led them to accompany him. However, he had planned to take them to Ajebandele in Osun State to work on a farm.
The trafficked victims were identified as David Dominic Udoh, 23 years old; Moses Ibom Sunday, 10 years old; David Sunday Okafor, 11 years old; Wisdom Ukpong Bassey, 15 years old; and Hope Nwem Eto, 14 years old, all from Akwa Ibom State.
Following the arrest and confession, both the suspect and the victims have been transferred to the National Agency For Prohibition On Trafficking In Person (NAPTIP) for further investigation and prosecution.