Police arrest 2 for human trafficking in Bayelsa

THE Bayelsa State Police Command has arrested two suspected human traffickers in the state.

The state Police Commissioner, Amba Asuquo, who said the role of the public was pivotal to the success of the police in the predominantly riverine state, appealed to the public to build a robust synergy with the command to serve the state better.

He reiterated the Police’s commitment to rid Bayelsa of criminals, and warned those engaging in unlawful practices to desist from such acts.

He urged parents to monitor their children to ensure they did not associate with criminals, adding that ignorance was not an excuse before the law.

The suspects are Erica Wolo (female) aged 24, and Patrick John (male) aged 19.

The statement read: “The suspects were arrested for their alleged involvement in trafficking of female teenagers from Ekowe community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the Bayelsa State. The victims are Ebitari Godfrey, aged 20 and Lucy Samuel, aged 19.”

According to the statement, they were taken to their accomplice in Lagos and later moved to Burkina Faso, a neigbhouring West African country.”

Luck ran out on them, when one Edna Hezron, aged 35, reported a case of abduction against Erica Wolo, who lived in Agudama Epie, in Yenagoa Local Government Area.

Consequently, a team of policemen swung into action and arrested the suspects, who took Lucy and Ebitari to one Madam Beauty, in Lagos, who, in turn, took the victims to Burkina Faso.

The statement added: “Ebitari Godfrey had escaped from her captors at Burkina Faso to the Nigerian Embassy and was repatriated to Nigeria.”

State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Asinim Butswat, however, noted that investigation was ongoing to arrest one Madam Beauty and to repatriate Lucy Samuel, who has also escaped from her captors.