The Ondo State Security Network Agency, also known as Amotekun Corps, has arrested suspected members of a child trafficking and organ harvesting syndicate and rescued a young boy, Eriponmile, who was kidnapped in Akure.
Ondo State Commander of the Corps, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye, lauded his men for their swift response in rescuing the boy within 48 hours of the abduction.
“We received a distress call from the Ijoka Davog area that Eriponmile had been kidnapped and taken away, and we immediately swung into action,” he said.
“Within 48 hours, our indicators showed that Eriponmile was already outside Ondo State.
“We spread out our dragnet, deployed our plainclothes operatives, and by the grace of God, we were able to bring Eriponmile back to Ondo State to be reunited with his mother and father.”
According to Akogun Adeleye, the breakthrough came as the team tracked the boy to a hospital in the eastern part of the country, where he had already been tested and declared “medically fit to be harvested” by one Amaka, suspected to be a major player in the gruesome trade.
“Along the line, we arrested the culprits — the suspected kidnappers — and discovered that this is a business they have been involved in for a long time.
“Many children have been kidnapped and used for ritual purposes and organ harvesting,” he revealed.
The arrested suspects include Amaka, Ifeanyi, Adaeze, Etose, Omolara, and two others currently being tracked.
The syndicate’s horrifying operation came to light following confessions from some of the suspects.
One of the suspects, Adaeze Kenneth, a 20-year-old daughter of the alleged ring leader, Amaka Ngozi, said:
“I’m the first daughter of Amaka Ngozi. I’m a baker, and my shop is at Sijuade. Before this, a lady was pregnant and said she didn’t want the baby. She met with my mum, and they took the baby to Anambra State, saying someone needed the baby there.”
“After they returned, they rented an apartment. Since then, I’ve distanced myself because when she was going, she asked me to follow her and I said no. I wasn’t rewarded with any money.”
Another suspect, Amaka Kenneth, 35, confessed: “I used to sell clothes before my husband died. I now take babies to a motherless babies’ home in Onitsha to sell for N500,000 per child. Myself, Tosin, and Mr. Adewale Olokungboye are the ones doing it.”
Also speaking was a woman who admitted to selling her own child:
“I gave them my own son — Jessica, Segun, and Ojo. I sold my one-year-old baby for ₦500,000. When they carried out the test on him, the woman said the child is AS, and they couldn’t use him because of his genotype. I don’t know the amount they eventually negotiated.”
The agency vowed to completely dismantle the syndicate, which is believed to be behind several similar abductions across the country.
The father of the rescued boy, Eriseun Omolewo from Iju, in Akure North Local Government Area of the state expressed deep gratitude to the government and Amotekun for the rescue of his son.
“We have been looking for my son since last Tuesday. We came to meet the government to help us in the search for my son,” he said.
“Today, to the glory of God, they called me that he has been found. I really appreciate the government of Lucky Aiyedatiwa for the great effort in ensuring my son was brought back.
“I also thank the men of the Ondo State Security Network Agency, Amotekun.”
While expressing gratitude to state governor for his unwavering support, Commander Adeleye praised the Welfare Department of the Corps for taking a special interest in Eriponmile’s case and ensuring his safe return in good health.
The Amotekun Commander advised parents to remain vigilant and to always monitor the whereabouts of their children, noting that Eriponmile’s swift rescue was made possible because his parents placed a distress call within 30 minutes of his disappearance.
“I want to enjoin parents, once again, to keep an eye on the future of this country — our children.
“We want to thank the good people of Ondo State and reassure them of the government’s commitment to ensuring the safety of lives and property across the state,” he added.
The father of the rescued boy, Eriseun Omolewo from Iju, in Akure North Local Government area of Ondo State expressed deep gratitude to the state government and Amotekun for the rescue of his son
The father of the rescued boy, Eriseun Omolewo from Iju, in Akure North Local Government area of Ondo State expressed deep gratitude to the state government and Amotekun for the rescue of his so
