NSCDC arrests 2 for trafficking 32 minors to Ekiti

Men of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have arrested two child traffickers, Stephen Udoh and Ede Thomas, for alleged trafficking of 32 minors to Ekiti.

It was gathered that the suspects were notorious for trafficking of primary and secondary school pupils between five and 18 years from Benue state to Ekiti and other South West states for child labour and prostitution.

The NSCDC Commandant in Ekiti State, Mr Donatus Ikemefuna, who stated this in a statement yesterday, said the suspects were arrested around 1.00pm on Sunday after his men in Counter Terrorism Unit who had been trailing them had gathered substantial evidence against them.

He said, “During preliminary investigation, some of the victims confirmed that the duo of Udoh, a driver and Thomas promised to give them jobs with good monthly wages in Ado Ekiti, Igbonla in Ondo State, Ogbomoso and Oyo towns without details of the kinds of jobs, but this had proven overtime to be child labour.

“The victims confirmed that Thomas facilitates the business trips every month on special request from these states. Most of them affirmed that their parents are in the picture of the crime. It became necessary to apprehend the suspects because the calls were much on the spate of child trafficking to Ekiti State. The importation and exportation of underage, to NSCDC, is terrorism.”