LASG REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO COMBAT CHILD TRAFFICKING

 Yomi Durojaye 

The Lagos State Government has once again emphasised its firm stance against any form of child trafficking and, in particular, the buying and selling of children within the State.

LASG REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO COMBAT CHILD TRAFFICKING

Honourable Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mr. Mobolaji Abubakre Ogunlende, made this declaration at a press briefing aimed at sensitising the public on the prohibition of child trafficking. The event also saw the handover of several children, rescued by the Nigeria Police Force, to the Ministry. The briefing was held on Friday at the Zone II Police Command Headquarters in Onikan, Lagos.

Mr. Ogunlende praised the Police for rescuing five children - Marvelous Obi (M, One-Year-Old), Promise Ifekwuna (M, Three-Year-Old), Somtochukwu Onyemaechi (M, One-Year-Old), Chibuzornma Onyemaechi (F, Three-Year-Old), and Praise Chukwu Ibezim (M, Six-Year-Old) - from a notorious child trafficking syndicate led by Sunday Okputu.

He stated, "Today's gathering is a celebration of the positive results of collaboration. There is power in working together. This event also sends a strong message to those involved in this despicable trade: the buying and selling of children in Lagos State is illegal. They must cease this activity immediately. It will not be tolerated under any circumstances. The government of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu is dedicated to safeguarding the rights of every child in Lagos. Children deserve to grow in a safe and nurturing environment".

In his remarks, DCP Ajao S. Adewale acknowledged that the achievement was a result of the strong collaboration between the Police, local communities, and various agencies. He noted that the effort aligns with the community and intelligence policing mandate given to the Zone II Police Command by Assistant Inspector General of Police, Mr. Fayoade M. Adegoke.

DCP Adewale explained further that the rescue operation, led by CSP Ngozi Braide, was based on intelligence received by the Command on January 8, 2025. 

"Intelligence revealed that this syndicate specialised in the buying and selling of newborn babies, toddlers, and children of various ages. The syndicate was led by Sunday Okputu, who supplied the children, while Ibezim Chioma (F) acted as a middle person and caregiver, and Chinasa Echelibe (F) was responsible for caring for the children before they were passed on to their prospective buyers", he added.

Pharm (Mrs.) Toyin Oke-Osanyintolu, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, highlighted the need for proper care for every child in the State. She emphasised that adoption and guardianship options are available to ensure the welfare of all children.

Mrs. Oke-Osanyintolu further stated that the rescued children would be taken into government-run homes after undergoing necessary medical evaluations to aid in their recovery and rehabilitation.

CyberCrime: Police Arraign 113 Foreign Nationals, Reaffirms Capacity for Tackling Crime

Yomi Durojaye 

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun., Ph.D., NPM., has reaffirmed the capabilities and expertise of the Nigeria Police Force in tackling cybercrimes and protecting cyberspace in Nigeria and beyond.

CyberCrime: Police Arraign 113 Foreign Nationals, Reaffirms Capacity for Tackling Crime

The IGP made this known while commending the Police operatives attached to Zone 7 command and the National Cyber Crime Centre (NPF-NCCC) Abuja for bursting a group of foreign Nationals involved in a series of cybercrimes including internet fraud and marketing scams

The suspects were arrested on the 3rd of November 2024 in Jahi, a suburb of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). During investigation, operatives of the NPF-NCCC recovered a vast array of digital critical evidence, believed to be instrumental in the syndicate’s cybercrime operations. The recovered items include 1 Black Toyota Tundra vehicle, laptops of different makes, smartphones of various brands, tablets, desktops, computers and keyboards, Harman/Kardon sound system, MTN routers, Huawei routers, Airtel routers, D-Link routers, Starlink routers, Gamepads, 1 Sony PlayStation 5, a central processing unit, Multiple SIM cards from both local international service Providers, High-capacity servers, Drones and specialized cyber equipment, international passports, identity cards, and travel documents.

These assets recovered are suspected to have been used in executing a range of cybercrime activities, including unauthorized data breaches, marketing scams and other cybercrime activities. The scale and sophistication of the operation underscores the increasing global threat posed by cybercriminal syndicates operating across borders.

As a follow-up to the investigation and recoveries, compiled with credible evidence against the suspects, the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC), has arraigned the 113 foreign nationals facing serious charges, including computer-related fraud, unlawful access to data, marketing scams, money laundering, conspiracy, and illegal immigration, before the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.

The arraignment of these suspects follows extensive investigations that have uncovered the alleged involvement of these individuals in criminal activities spanning both cybercrime, immigration offences and human trafficking networks.

The Nigeria Police Force will continue to work closely with international law enforcement agencies and Embassies to track and prosecute cybercriminals, combat cybercrime and other forms of transnational criminal activity and ensure that perpetrators are held accountable under Nigerian law.

The Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun Ph.D, NPM, while reaffirming the commitment of the Force to leverage the emerging technological advancement to protect the citizens of Nigeria both physically and in the digital space, further reiterates that the Force is well-dedicated and well-equipped to combat cases of cybercrime in the country.