Metro

Parents Of 14 Stolen Children, Babies Narrate Ordeal

Published

9 months ago

January 20, 2025

…our children stolen in Osun state, sold to Anambra

…bread, biscuits, soft drinks used to entice our children

The parents of the 14 children stolen and rescued by the Ondo state police command, have narrated their ordeal and expressed the agonies they went through while they were missing.

Speaking with newsmen after the three suspects who stole the children were paraded by the police in Akure, the state capital, they lauded the state police command for the feat.

Recall that a couple and a 62 year old grandma, Sabira Izuorah, and the couple, lsaiaka and Abosede Lukmqn were arrested by police for stealing 14 children including four babies.

Ages of the four babies stolen is between one week and two months while the 10 children are between two and seven years old.

They reportedly sells each of the stolen child for N1 million after enticing them with biscuits and soft drinks.

Ages of the four stolen is between one week and two months old while the 10 children are between two and seven years.

It was learnt that the 62 year old grandmother, operates an illegal orphanage where the stolen children were kept until they get buyers.

In an interview, the grandmother, who claimed to have retired as a Director from the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, Anambra State, admitted to having received the children from the couple.

But the couple said that they sell each child to her for N500,000 while the grandmother resell each for N1 million.

Speaking, the mother of one of rescued victims, Mrs Babalola Salome, an hair dresser, said the son, David was abducted June 12, 2023.

According to her, “They’ve changed the name of my son from David to Chijoke.

“I give thanks to God. He was 2 and half years when he was abducted but he’s over five years now.

“He didn’t really recognize me again. But you know, I recognized him immediately I set my eyes on him.

“It actually happened on June 12, 2023. That man they arrested (Lukman), his mother’s shop was beside mine in Osogbo, Osun State.

“On that faithful day, around 7pm, I was making my customer’s hair. So, David and his brother (Daniel) were playing at the neighbour’s shop.

“So, I heard Daniel’s voice and I suspected that somebody was giving them something. I called him, asked who was offering them something and he told me that it was my neighbour and his son, Lukman (arrested suspect).

“Immediately, I directed him to go call his brother for me but returned without finding him. I had to go there myself and asked the woman but she denied seeing her at all. It was unimaginable.

“Afterwards, we went to the police station to report and engaged in searching but all efforts proved abortive. I appreciate God and the police for the rescue”.

Also, while recounting her ordeal, Alarape Abosede said her son, Daodu,was stolen from Osun state , on 31 of October, by the Suspect, Lookman and and Abosede.

“We have been neighbors before they moved out of the former house but one day Abosede called me that she wanted to come and greet me and i described my place to her.

“But while she was coming, she came with an attachment to do her hair,, so myself and my husband went inside to bring out our goods from the house and I took her to where she wanted to do her hair and left my child there but when I got there , I couldn’t find my child.

“But last year November, I was called by the police from Ondo State and was arrested and detained.

” They said I was the one that spoke with the suspect, Abosede last and I told them she stole my child.

“ Since then, we have been moving from states to states, Delta,Agbor, Benin till they were arrested in Edo state.

“It was when they were arrested that they said they have sold my child to a woman at Anambra”

Another mother, Asiata Atilola, said her child was stolen from Ipetu Ijesha.

She disclosed that the same lady suspect came to her asking to rent a house and she directed her to the landlady where she made the payment of six month rent

“After she moved in, She became friendly with everyone and later asked for my telephone number which Igave to her and promised to come back.

“She later said she wanted to get food and I told her they don’t sell food around here so I went into the kitchen and directed her to where they are selling bread but left my children outside the kitchen.

“Before I came back she had gone to buy bread with one of my sons.

“When I came out, I saw my other children and asked for their brother, they said the lady that came to rent the house has gone with him.

“Immediately I put a call across to her and she said she will soon come as she was directed to another place to get the bread.That was all I saw of her since November 19, last year.

“The number she gave to me was no longer working, So it was in December 24 that we heard that the suspected lady(Bose) has been arrested.

“That’s why we came to Akure but when we came we didn’t see our child, even Bose saw me she didn’t deny that she took my child but said that she has sold the child to the woman in Anambra state.

“But when we saw the woman my son’s picture was in her phone but my son couldn’t be found”

Meanwhile, the grandmother, has however, promised to take police detectives to those who bought other children.
(VANGUARD)

Metro

Why DSS Questioned Me Over Viral Threat Video — Lagos NURTW Boss

Published

7 hours ago

October 3, 2025

Editor

The Lagos State Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Alhaji Mustapha Olanrewaju, popularly known as Sego, has explained why he was grilled by the Department of State Services following a viral video in which he was accused of making threats ahead of the 2027 elections.

In the clip, Sego was heard speaking in Yoruba, saying: “Anyone who makes any mistake in 2027 will be dealt with. Let it be known: the APC is your party. Those who don’t comply will face us.”

The video sparked outrage online, with critics accusing him of incitement and political intimidation.

Speaking after his session with the DSS, Sego said, “Good afternoon everyone. My name is Alhaji Mustapha Adekunle Olanrewaju. I have been with the DSS since morning. I just left them around after 7. They just released me on bail.”

He insisted the claims against him were false. “I heard they invited me because of a propaganda that I insulted some people or something like that. So that is a fake rumour. What I was talking about was national union (NURTW),” he said.

Sego argued that rival groups within the union were behind the controversy. “We all know that every profession has its rival. As politicians have rivals, mechanics have rivals too. So it is the NURTW rivals that don’t want my work in Lagos to be successful. So they are looking for means to scatter it and cause trouble. They are the ones I was talking to and letting the world and the DSS and the Police know that NURTW is a peaceful union.”

He described the allegations as propaganda. “It is the naysayers that want to be peddling false rumours. So what the DSS have been grilling me about is not what it seems. It is just propaganda. I concentrate on my work. You can be part of any association. We all know the party we want to associate with.”

Sego added that the invitation was aimed at distracting him from his duties. “Since morning, I am supposed to be in my office but I have been with the DSS. This is an attempt to destabilise me and the NURTW in Lagos,” he said.

The NURTW have been accused in past elections of being used to intimidate opponents or sway voters, allegations the union has consistently denied.

During the 2019 and 2023 polls, clashes linked to transport union factions raised concerns about the use of motor park leaders in political disputes.

Metro

Youths Beat Ondo Monarch, Wife, Son During Festival

Published

7 hours ago

October 3, 2025

Editor

Crisis erupted in Idogun community, Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State, on Friday as some irate youths allegedly beat up the town’s monarch, Oba Moses Bakare, his wife, and his son, identified as Victor.

The incident, which occurred during the annual New Yam festival, left the monarch injured while his wife was reportedly beaten and stripped half-naked by the angry youths.

Though the cause of the attack could not be immediately ascertained, a resident of the town, who pleaded anonymity for fear of reprisal, said some residents had long been at loggerheads with the monarch.

The source stated, “The angry youths really assaulted the monarch and his wife and son. We don’t know what caused it but we know that some youths in the community don’t like the Oba; we don’t know why.

“If not the swift intervention of security operatives, the matter would have degenerated to a full-blown crisis in the town.”

Confirming the incident, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, told PUNCH Online that an investigation had commenced.

“The case is under investigation and we are leaving no stone unturned in ensuring that justice is served,” the PPRO stated.

Metro

Police Arrest Officer, UNIPORT Student Over Cult-related Violence

Published

7 hours ago

October 3, 2025

Editor

The Rivers State Police Command says it has arrested two suspected cultists and recovered firearms and ammunition during a signing-out ceremony for final-year students at the University of Port Harcourt.

In a press release signed on Friday by its Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, the command said the suspects, a police officer and a student, were getting ready for clash with rival cultists before their arrest.

Iringe-Koko said, “On September 26, 2025, at about 1600hrs, during the activities marking the signing out of final-year students at the University of Port-Harcourt, the University’s Internal Security team confronted a suspected cult member , Police Corporal Onwukwe Godswill ‘m’ attached to the Elimgbu Division and a 200-Level Biomedical Technology undergraduate student of the University, Ifeanyi Israel ‘m’ in anticipation of a clash with rival Cultists on campus.”

Both suspects were taken into custody and searched, the statement added.

During the initial search, the PPRO said weapons, including pistols, ammunition, and axes, were recovered.

“A subsequent search of the house of the suspected cult leader, Cpl Onwukwe, by the operatives, resulted in the recovery of the following additional exhibits: one (1) locally made pistol and two (2) machetes,” she added.

The command said the suspects and exhibits are currently in police custody as an in-depth investigation is underway to determine the full extent of their involvement and identify any accomplices.

Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, reiterated the force’s commitment to maintaining peace.

He warned that “there will be no hiding place for criminals in the State” and urged the public to report suspicious activity to security agencies.”

PUNCH Online recalls that the Rivers Police Command last week also arrested a security guard simply identified as Godday over the alleged abduction and defilement of a 14-year-old girl in the Mothercat axis of Trans-Amadi in Port Harcourt.

The suspect was said to have been arrested last Tuesday by officers of the Amadi Police Division in partnership with security personnel of another bank adjacent to the scene of the crime.