The police command in Ogun on Monday said it arrested a couple, Godday and Ebere Samuel, for human trafficking at Atan in Ota.

Its spokesman, Abimbola Oyeyemi, who confirmed this in a statement in Ota, said the couple were arrested on October 17 for suspected human trafficking.

Mr Oyeyemi explained that the suspects were arrested following a report lodged at Atan Ota Divisional Police Headquarters by Adeniji Okikiolu, who reported that his 16-year-old daughter, Maria Adeniji, suddenly disappeared from home on October 16.

He explained further that while a search party was organised to look for her, someone informed him that the missing girl was seen with Ebere the previous day.

“Upon the information, Ebere was invited to the station, but she vehemently denied ever seeing the missing girl on or before that day. Not satisfied with her plea of alibi, Ebere was subsequently detained at the station,” the statement explained.

It added, “But surprisingly when her husband was contacted, the husband confessed to have taken the missing girl to somewhere in Lagos for onward transportation to Burkina Faso, where she will be engaged as a maid to one of their associates.”

Preliminary investigation revealed that the couple had been trafficking people to Burkina Faso, the police stated.

Meanwhile, police commissioner Lanre Bankole has ordered the immediate transfer of the suspects to the anti-human trafficking and child labour unit of the State Criminal Investigation Departments for discreet investigation and diligent prosecution. 

(NAN)