No fewer than four parents in Uvwie and Okpe local government areas in Delta State are currently in pains following the alleged trafficking of their female children to Côte d’Ivoire by some human traffickers.
One of the victims, ( names withheld) aged 15, a student of Ugbomro Secondary School, Ugbomro in Uvwie Local Government Area was allegedly trafficked to Côte d’Ivoire by a woman who claimed to have been assisting the parents for her school training because of their poor financial difficulties.
Speaking to journalists at the weekend, the victim’s father, Mr Kingsley Chika said that”it all started in September 2020 when our daughter began to put up strange behavior and even absconded from the house.
“Suddenly, the child started refusing to go on errand for us as her parents and she ran to Alaka to stay and when we brought her back to the house. Again she started and I took her to the doctor who examined her to say nothing was wrong with her and at the point, we took her to the church for deliverance for two days and she changed for a while only to resurface again and the next thing was a call from her that she is now in Lagos State and later in Côte d’Ivoire”.
Chila added that the trafficking sydicate has been calling his wife’s mobile number demanding money before they could send her back to Nigeria when borders were opened, adding that” When I was confused about the whole thing, I then reported to NAPTIP in Uvwie Local Government who swung into action with the police and the woman was arrested”.
DSP Onome Onowakpoyeya, Police Public Relations Officer in the state, who confirmed the incident said” we arrested the woman in connection with the alleged trafficking of some girls in Uvwie and Orerokpe including the girl in question. We got some reports from their parents and the police in collaboration with NAPTIP swung into action and arrested the woman . We shall soon charge her to court on completion of investigation”
In another development, a young man ( name withheld) who hails from Emede Community in Isoko South Local Government Area of the state was at the weekend allegedly shot dead by armed robbers in the area.
It was gathered that the suspects went to a motorcycle shop situated along Emore road close to the Former Union Bank in Oleh and allegedly killed the victim after which they made away with his motorcycle and other valuable including an unspecified amount of money.
A reliable source told our correspondent that the suspects came in black Jeep between the hours of 3pm and 4pm on the fateful day.
The body of the victim was said to have been riddled with bullets while the situation had made some residents to run for their dear lives.
But the police public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Onome Onowakpoyeya who confirmed the incident, said investigation was ongoing with a view to ensuring that the hoodlums were brought to book.
In a related development, a salon owner, Adams Eguwese has been allegedly shot dead by gunmen in Sapele town.
Reports said that the victim recently returned to the country and established one of the best barbing and hairdressing salon in the area.
