- CP orders manhunt for fleeing aunt
The police in Ogun have rescued a 10-year-old girl, Promise Udeh, allegedly chained to a burglar proof by her aunt, Chiamaka Okafor, in an uncompleted building in the Adigbe area of Abeokuta, Ogun State, for stealing the sum of N4,000.
Udeh was rescued by the police on Thursday following a tip-off by members of the public.
The incident occurred barely a week after a 9-year-old boy, Korede Taiwo, who was chained for over a month by his father in Atan, Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area of the state, was rescued in similar situation by security agents.
Chiamaka was said to have taken to her heels while the police made efforts to rescue the young girl from bondage.
But her husband, Sunday Okafor, was arrested and is currently being detained at the Ibara Police Station in the Abeokuta metropolis.
The 10-year-old victim has also been taken to the Stella Obasanjo Children’s Home in Ibara, Abeokuta, by the police for proper care.
The Acting State Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi, confirmed the incident.
Oyeyemi, an assistant superintendent of police, disclosed that the state Commissioner of Police, Ilyasu Ahmed, had ordered the arrest of the victim’s aunt, who is currently on the run.
The acting PPRO said, “The girl was rescued by the police and upon interrogation, the girl told us that it was her aunt who tied her on the allegation that she stole a sum of N4,000.
“The aunt is on the run, while her husband, who is an accomplice, has been arrested and he is helping us in our investigation.
“The CP, IIiyasu Ahmed, has ordered a serious manhunt for the fleeing aunt with a view of bringing her to justice, so as to serve as deterrent to others.
“The matter is under investigation. The Police is after the woman by name Chiamaka Okafor. Her husband, one Sunday Okafor, is in our custody. As soon as we complete the investigation, they will be charged to court.”
The police spokesman added that the state police boss, who expressed sadness over the incident, had also warned residents of the state to avoid such inhuman treatment of children.
“The CP is not happy with the situation, barely a week after one Korede Taiwo was rescued from similar situation. I don’t know why people are being wicked to their own blood relation.
“It is quite appalling; so, because of that the CP has warned residents of the state that the Command will no longer tolerate this type of man’s inhumanity to man, and that anybody caught in this kind of act, is going to be dealt with,” Oyeyemi said.
