The parents of 14 children stolen and later rescued by the Ondo State Police Command have recounted the harrowing experiences they endured during their children’s absence, describing their agony and relief after the rescue.
Speaking to journalists in Akure, the state capital, after the police paraded the three suspects behind the abductions, the parents expressed gratitude to the police for their efforts.
Among the suspects are a couple, Isaika and Abosede Lukman, and a 62-year-old grandmother, Sabira Izuorah, who reportedly orchestrated the heinous crimes.
The stolen children included four babies aged between one week and two months, and ten others aged two to seven years.
According to reports, the children were lured with biscuits and soft drinks before being abducted.
The suspects allegedly sold each child for N1 million, with the grandmother running an illegal orphanage where the children were held until buyers were found.
In her confession, Sabira, a retired Director from the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs in Anambra State, admitted receiving the children from the couple.
The couple claimed they sold the children to her for N500,000, while she resold them for N1 million each.
Among the parents was Mrs. Babalola Salome, a hairdresser, whose son David was abducted on June 12, 2023. She narrated, “They’ve changed the name of my son from David to Chijoke. I give thanks to God. He was 2 and a half years old when he was taken, but he’s over five years now. He didn’t really recognize me, but I recognized him immediately.”
Describing the day her son was taken, she recalled, “It happened around 7 p.m. while I was making a customer’s hair. David and his brother were playing at a neighbor’s shop. I heard my son’s voice and suspected someone was giving them something. I asked Daniel, his brother, who it was, and he mentioned the suspects. Moments later, David was gone.”
Another mother, Mrs. Alarape Abosede, recounted how her son Daodu was taken on October 31 by the same suspects.
She revealed, “They were our neighbors before moving out. One day, Abosede visited me and brought hair extensions to make her hair. While I left to attend to something, my child disappeared. Months later, the police informed me they had arrested the suspects, who admitted to selling my son to a woman in Anambra State.”
Mrs. Asiata Atilola also shared her ordeal, stating that her son was stolen from Ipetu Ijesha by Abosede, who had rented a house nearby to gain her trust.
“She became friendly with everyone. One day, she borrowed my son to buy bread, but she never returned. I tried calling her, but her number stopped working. Later, I learned she had been arrested, but my son was already sold to the grandmother in Anambra.”
Although some of the children were recovered, several remain missing. The grandmother has promised to assist the police in locating the other children sold to buyers.