Operatives of the Ondo State Security Network Agency, otherwise known as Amotekun Corps, have arrested members of a child trafficking and organ harvesting syndicate operating in the state.

During the operation, a young boy identified as Eriseun Omolewo, who was kidnapped by the syndicate in the Davog area of Ijoka, Akure South Local Council Area of the state, was rescued.

The arrested suspects include Amaka, Ifeanyi, Adaeze, Etose, and Omolara, with two others currently on the run.
According to the Amotekun Commander in the state, Adetunji Adeleye, the victim had been trafficked to the eastern part of the country in anticipation of harvesting his organs.

While lauding his men for the swift response in rescuing the boy within 48 hours of the abduction, Adeleye said, “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 and 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.

“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.”

One of the suspects, Adaeze Kenneth, a 20-year-old daughter of the alleged ringleader, 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, stated that “I used to sell clothes before my husband died. I now take babies to a motherless baby’s home in Onitsha to sell for ₦500,000 per child. I, Tosin, and Mr. Adewale Olokungboye are the ones doing it.”

Also speaking was a woman who admitted to selling her own child said, “I gave them my own son. 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.”

Meanwhile, the father of the rescued boy, Eriseun Omolewo, said that “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.”

“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.”