Angry women and youths of South Ibie community in Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State have accused operatives of the South Ibie Divisional Police Headquarters of masterminding the escape of a suspected female human trafficker from custody.

They made the allegation during a protest at the premises of the police station.

The protesters, who also visited the palace of the traditional ruler of the community—the Aidonogie of South Ibie, Alhaji Aliyu Kelvin Danesi—called for the re-arrest of the suspect, simply identified as Mrs. Anita, to face justice.

They alleged that Anita, who hails from the South-Eastern part of the country, was arrested by members of the Edo State Security Corps in South Ibie for allegedly abducting four male teenagers.

They further alleged that the Security Corps handed over the suspect to the Divisional Police Headquarters for investigation and prosecution, but were surprised to learn that she had been released just a few days later.

One of the protesters, who declined to give her name, alleged that the suspect kidnapped the victims under the pretence of taking them to Lagos State to learn internet fraud, popularly known as “Yahoo Yahoo.”

She said, “We are protesting because of the kidnapping of our children by a lady who claimed she wanted to take them to Lagos State to teach them Yahoo Yahoo. We also heard that she planned to sell the four boys in Lagos.

“Since then, they’ve been asking her to write a statement at the police station, but she refused.”

“We gathered that the suspect demanded to be taken to the Auchi Area Command before she would write any statement.”

“She has been boasting that she has connections and that she can never be arrested or detained. Today, we are here protesting because we heard she has been released by the police.”

Addressing the protesters, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of the station, CSP Anthony, assured them that the suspect would be re-arrested.

Anthony informed them that the officers on duty when the incident occurred had already been reported to the Edo State Police Command for disciplinary action.

The paramount ruler of the community, Alhaji Aliyu Kelvin Danesi, who expressed disappointment over the incident, told the protesters that he had personally reported the matter to the State Commissioner of Police.

“I have already called the Commissioner of Police to report this matter. He is aware of it and has promised me that he will do the needful to ensure that the woman is apprehended,” the monarch said.

“The issue of human trafficking and kidnapping is not a minor offence. It is a felony, and the government of Governor Monday Okpebholo is not taking the matter lightly.

“He has taken a firm stand that when someone is caught for kidnapping or trafficking, not only will the person be prosecuted and sentenced accordingly, but all the person’s properties will also be confiscated by the government.”

The traditional ruler also commended the efforts of the Edo State Security Corps, particularly the South Ibie sector, for their ongoing fight against insecurity in the kingdom.

Narrating their ordeal, one of the victims, Ahmed Ismail, alleged that the suspect took the four of them into a vehicle and drove them to her house.

He added that after asking them to bathe, the suspect passed a clay pot around their heads several times and had scheduled a night meeting with them before she was arrested.