Osun Records Three Child Kidnapping Cases In August

Osun State recorded three major child kidnapping cases in the outgoing month, OSUN DEFENDER gathered.

According to the state commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Michael Adaralewa, one of the cases happened in Osogbo, the state capital, while others took place in Osunjela along Ilesa Road, Agbeye, Odo-Otin local government.

NSCDC also appealed to parents to be vigilant due to the recent surge in cases relating to child kidnapping.

A statement by the command’s spokesperson, Kehinde Adeleke, a copy obtained by OSUN DEFENDER on Wednesday, said the command was investigating three cases of child kidnapping, adding that some suspects have been apprehended so far in connection with the crime.

The statement added, “On August 2, 2024, it was reported at the Command’s Headquarters, along Iwo-Ibadan Road, Osun State, that a male child aged one year and three months was kidnapped at Osunjela, along Ilesa Garage.

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“Discreet investigation revealed that one lady known as Tawa was introduced to the mother of the baby by a family friend known as Sodiq, who said Tawa wanted to learn bag making from the woman.

“The very first day the suspect, Tawa, came to work, she carried the baby pretending to be playing with him. She thereafter went out with the baby’s elder sister – ten years old, who was sent on an errand alongside the younger brother.

“While on their way, Tawa asked the baby’s elder sister to go and deliver potatoes to the mother. However, Tawa took away the one-year and three months old baby.

“Also, on the same day, there was a report that a three-year-old child went missing at Ifesowapo Street, Owode, Osogbo, Osun State. Investigation revealed that the child was last seen playing in a shop, and his whereabouts have not been known till now.

“Moreover, another five-month-old female child belonging to deaf and dumb parents in Agbeye town, Odo-Otin local government of Osun state, was kidnapped on Tuesday, 27th August 2024, on a farm, where her mother was gathering firewood.

“The child was laid under a shade of trees so that the mother could quickly finish packing the firewood. By the time the mother went back to breastfeed the baby, she was nowhere to be found.

“The Osun NSCDC boss assured members of the public that the command is working tirelessly with other sister agencies in the state to apprehend the perpetrators. He urged artisans and employers of labour to do proper profiling of those they are employing to work for them.”