A suspected kidnapper and child trafficker, Tayo Adeleke, has, under interrogation, revealed to the police how he and other gang members kidnap children to sell them in Benin Republic.

The suspect is currently in police custody for conniving with two other men, now at large, to steal children at Omu Pempe community in Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State on Tuesday.

The suspect and his gang members had stormed a Baptist church in the area around 2:00 a.m. with a motorcycle to steal children and sell them to the neighbouring country.

An operative of the So-Safe Corps was said to have received a distress call and shared it with the divisional police officer in the area.

A source said, “When the three men were challenged about their mission in the village, they could not give any cogent explanation as they attempted to flee.”

The state police public relations officer, Omolola Odutola, confirmed the incident, saying the arrest of the suspect was a joint effort between the police, the So-Safe Corps and other vigilante groups in the said community, although his gang members escaped through the bush.

Ms Odutola said, “They came to the community to kidnap children. He said they have a syndicate, and they have been kidnapping children and selling them to the Republic of Benin. We have arrested one and he will help in bringing others to book.”

She stated that the kidnappers are now going into communities to operate, having observed that the command has taken charge of the highways.

“Going into communities to kidnap is the new trend now. We have taken over the highways in Ogun. You will see policemen on the road now. But the kidnappers have gotten into the inner villages to start disturbing them. We will get them; we are going back to the drawing board. Criminals have no place in this state,” she said.

She called on traditional rulers to set up internal security to protect lives and properties.

“The Ogun State Command under the Commissioner of Police, CP Abiodun Alamutu, will not relent until criminals are flushed out of Ogun, wherever they are,” Ms Odutola assured.