Metro

Parents Of 14 Stolen Children, Babies Narrate Ordeal

Published

1 year ago

January 20, 2025

Editor

…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

Police Arrest Mother, Daughter Over Alleged N18m Romance Scam

Published

20 minutes ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre, NPF-NCCC, have arrested a woman and her daughter over their alleged involvement in a romance scam that reportedly defrauded a Malta-based victim of more than N18 million.

The police disclosed that the arrests followed investigations into allegations bordering on computer-related fraud, identity theft, and money laundering after receiving intelligence from the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, NFIU.

In a statement issued by the Acting Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Uwana Imah, the suspects were identified as 39-year-old Urowhe Diana and her 22-year-old daughter, Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.

According to the statement, preliminary investigations revealed that a Lagos resident identified as Emmanuel Amanfo, who is currently at large, allegedly collaborated with Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru to open and operate multiple bank accounts used in carrying out fraudulent transactions.

“One of the victims was identified as a resident of Malta whose identity has been withheld,” the statement said.

The police further disclosed that proceeds from the alleged romance scam were transferred through money transfer operators and direct deposits into several Nigerian bank accounts belonging to Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.

Investigators also alleged that the funds were later moved into an Ecobank account owned by Urowhe Diana, where the money was allegedly spent.

According to the statement, forensic analysis of the suspects’ digital activities allegedly linked both mother and daughter to the cybercrime operation, leading to their eventual arrest.

The police added that efforts were ongoing to apprehend Emmanuel Amanfo, who was described as the husband of Urowhe Diana and stepfather of Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.

“Investigation into the matter is still ongoing, and the suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations,” the statement added.

The Nigeria Police Force reiterated the commitment of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, to safeguarding Nigeria’s cyberspace and tackling cybercrime across the country.

The NPF-NCCC also urged members of the public to report suspicious cyber-related activities through its official online reporting portal and designated communication channels.

Metro

Edo Police Arrest Two Suspected Cultists

Published

18 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Editor

The Edo State Police Command on Wednesday said two suspected cultists were arrested in Ohonre community, off Adolor College Road, Benin.

This was disclosed in a statement by the command Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, and made available to newsmen electrically.

Ikoedem said the arrest was possible due to operatives response to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

The statement reads: “The Edo State Police Command has recorded another operational breakthrough following the swift disruption of a suspected cultists’ gathering in Ohonre Community, off Adolor College Road, Benin City.

“On 21st May, 2026, at about 19:00hrs, operatives attached to Ugbowo Division who were on surveillance patrol responded to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

“Acting promptly on the information, the police team mobilized to the location. On sighting the operatives, the suspects fled in an attempt to evade arrest. The operatives immediately gave them a hot chase, leading to the arrest of two suspects identified as Victor Peter ‘M’, 21 years and Iyemoma Ogbewe ‘M’, 35 years.

“A search conducted on the suspects led to the recovery of one cut-to-size gun believed to have been in their possession for unlawful purposes.

“Upon investigation, the suspects confessed to being members of the notorious Maphite cult group. Efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend other fleeing gang members.”

She said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, commended the swift response of the operatives and reiterated the Command’s resolve to deny criminal elements any opportunity within Edo State.

He further urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to the Police, assuring that all reports would receive prompt attention.

Metro

Troops Eliminate Two Terrorists, Foil Pipeline Attack

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

The Nigerian Army says troops have, in the last 24 hours, eliminated two terrorists, rescued four kidnapped victims and foiled pipeline attacks in a series of coordinated military operations across Taraba, Kogi and Rivers.

This is contained in operational updates issued to reporters on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to the reports, troops of 93 Battalion deployed at Akate in the Donga Local Government Area of Taraba engaged suspected terrorists in a forested area, killing two of them.

According to the report, items recovered from the scene include an AK-47 rifle, ammunition, magazines, mobile phones and other personal effects.

In Kogi, it said the troops of 21 Battalion, in collaboration with vigilantes, rescued four kidnapped passengers along the Anyigba–Itobe road in Ofu Local Government Area.

It added that the victims were reportedly abandoned by their captors while attempting to cross a seasonal stream due to sustained pressure from advancing troops.

According to the military, efforts are ongoing to rescue other victims still in captivity.

The report said that troops of 12 Brigade successfully repelled an ambush along Kabba–Okene road while withdrawing from an earlier operation, forcing the assailants to flee with gunshot wounds.

“Meanwhile, in Rivers, troops of 5 Battalion acting on credible intelligence, foiled an attempt by suspected vandals to detonate a crude oil pipeline in Ahoada West Local Government Area.

“The swift response of the troops disrupted the operation before it could be executed, with the suspects fleeing the scene,” it said.