Police and vigilantes in Edo State have rescued about 26 children and women said to have been trafficked from Imo, Abia, Anambra, Akwa Ibom and Ebonyi states.
Kontongs Bello, a Superintendent of Police and spokesperson for the Edo State police command said in a statement on Tuesday that the victims were rescued at Evbuotubu on the Ekenwan Road area of Benin, the state capital.
Narrating their ordeal, the victims allegedly said a woman they simply called Jennifer, also known as Ezine, lured and trafficked them from their various locations to Edo state. The police said Jennifer, whose other name is unknown, is currently on the run.
Bello said, “They were lured in a guise that Edo State government is giving financial support to single mothers with new born babies, especially twins, but on arrival in Benin City, they discovered a different thing entirely and met no support, but were rather engage in illicit business.
“The women said they were forced to go for street begging for their mistress Jennifer. They further stated that only pea-nut was given to them to take care of their children and feeding from proceed of the begging.”
He added that the State Commissioner of Police, Phillip Aliyu Ogbadu, advised parents to be wary of unknown persons who come with promises of heaven on earth to their children as the result is always catastrophic.
