by Nigerian News24 Correspondents
The Ondo State Police Command has arrested ten illegal immigrants who reportedly entered Nigeria from the Republic of Benin. One of the suspects is accused of trafficking a Congolese national into the country without her consent.
The arrests took place at a hideout in the Oda area of Akure North Local Government Area. The suspects were identified as Atouh Joel (37), Mohamed Atta Amidou (35), Saibou Akateliwe (33), Abdul Jahao (26), Ndah Severin (27), Kumpori Ruth (19), Kumpori Martin (31), Tatiana Madous Dianne (32), Martias Sossa (22), and Ndapola Oba Giove (30).
Addressing journalists at the state command headquarters in Akure, Commissioner of Police Adebowale Lawal revealed that some of the individuals possessed expired international passports, while others had no valid travel documents.
According to CP Lawal, the suspects conspired to lure 29-year-old Nzaou Yelica Christ-Olse, a Congolese citizen, into Nigeria under false pretenses. She was promised an opportunity to start an online business but was later abandoned upon arrival.
“This act is a gross violation of Nigeria’s immigration and anti-human trafficking laws,” said CP Lawal. He added that the case has been transferred to the Nigeria Immigration Service and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for further investigation and prosecution.
The victim is currently in protective custody and receiving support from relevant authorities.
87-Year-Old Traditional Chief Arrested for Alleged Gunrunning
In a separate development, police operatives from the Tactical Intelligence Response Squad (TIRS) have arrested an 87-year-old traditional leader, Chief Kogbona of Idanre, for allegedly supplying firearms to a robbery syndicate.
The arrest followed the capture of a suspected gang member, Adeife Adewumi, in the Mokola area of Ibadan. Adewumi, a native of the same community as the chief, was found in possession of a stolen motorcycle linked to a recent murder case.
According to police spokesperson DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, further investigations led to the arrest of two additional suspects: Johnson Mathew (24), from Osogbo, and Disu Sunday, from Ekiti. Both reside in Ilaramokin, Ifedore Local Government Area.
“The suspects confessed to being members of the gang responsible for multiple robberies and a recent homicide,” said Ayanlade. Police recovered two locally-made cut-to-size guns, one live cartridge, and one expended cartridge during the operation.
A follow-up raid on Chief Kogbona’s residence on Odole Street, Odode, Idanre, led to the discovery of ten live cartridges.
All suspects are currently in custody and will face charges upon the conclusion of investigations.
Commissioner Lawal reaffirmed the command’s dedication to eliminating criminal activity in the state and urged residents to share timely and reliable information with security agencies.