Hundreds of youths and women in the South Ibie community, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State, have protested the alleged escape of a suspected kidnapper and human trafficker from the police station located in the area
DAILY POST reports that the protesters, armed with green leaves, stormed the premises of the South Ibie Divisional Police headquarters to protest the escape and release of the suspect, allegedly masterminded by some officers of the division.
The protesters, who also visited the palace of the traditional ruler of the community, the Aidonogie of South Ibie, Aliyu Kelvin Danesi, sought his intervention and called for the rearrest of the suspect to face justice.
They alleged that a woman simply identified as Mrs Anita from the Southeast part of the country was arrested by the Edo State Security Corps, the South Ibie sector for allegedly abducting four male teenagers.
The protesters also alleged that the Security Corps handed over the suspect to the Divisional Police headquarters for investigation and prosecution, but they were, however, surprised that a few days later she was released.
One of the protesters said the suspect kidnapped the victims with the promise of taking them to Lagos state to learn the act of perpetrating internet fraud, “Yahoo Yahoo.
According to her, 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.
“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”, she said.
Speaking on the escape of the suspect from the police custody, the Divisional Police Officer of the station, CSP Anthony assured the protesters that the suspect would be rearrested.
Anthony, who addressed the protesters, said the officers on duty when the incident happened have been reported to the authorities of the State Command.
Also addressing the protesters, Aliyu Kelvin Danesi, the Aidonogie of South Ibie said the matter had been reported to the Commissioner of the Edo State Police Command.
The traditional ruler, who also expressed disappointment with the incident, assured the youths of his commitment to ensuring that justice prevails.
He also assured that the suspect would be rearrested to face the law.
“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”, he added.
He, however, commended the efforts of the Edo State Security Corps, the South Ibie sector for fighting insecurity in the kingdom in line with the agenda of the state government.
Earlier, narrating what transpired, one of the victims, identified as Ahmed Ismail, alleged that the suspect took the four of them into a vehicle and drove them to her house.
Ismail also alleged that after asking them to take their bath, the suspect took a clay pot to run around their heads several times.
He added that she also scheduled a night meeting with them before the arrest.
Community protests alleged release of suspected female kidnapper from police custody in Edo
