The family of a five-year-old girl allegedly sold to a couple in Asaba, Delta State, has accused the Ondo State Police Command of trying to cover up the case.
They also alleged that the command unlawfully arrested and detained the victim’s mother, Mrs. Nneka Onah, and her stepfather, Mr. Ifeanyi Onah.
In a statement issued last week, the command’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Olayinka Ayanlade, said the trafficked girl had been rescued in Asaba and confirmed that some suspects were arrested. The police explained that the operation led to the arrest of Amaka Chukwuemeka, who reportedly confessed to buying the child for N3.7m.
The family’s lawyer, Mr. Tope Temokun, told PUNCH Metro in Akure on Sunday that the police statement distorted the sequence of events, omitted vital information, suppressed key leads, and left out names of suspects already identified. He also criticised the statement for misrepresenting the girl’s parentage by listing Sunday Kingsley and Sunday Happiness as her parents, and accused the police of shielding another suspect, Vivian Ngozi.
The lawyer said, “The police statement falsely named Kingsley Sunday and Happiness Sunday as the parents of the child. This is not true. The victim is the biological daughter of Mrs Nneka Onah and the stepdaughter of Mr Ifeanyi Onah. Witnesses and documents confirm this fact. By erasing the true complainants, the police are protecting the very people who should be under investigation.”
He further alleged that instead of prosecuting those behind the crime, the police resorted to intimidation and victim-blaming, while shielding Happiness Sunday, identified as the last person seen with the child.
“We are shocked that instead of protecting the victims, the police are now shielding suspects and oppressing the child’s real parents. This deliberate misrepresentation erases the true complainants from the narrative, thereby concealing critical leads in the investigation.
“As we speak, Mrs Nneka Onah (mother of the victim) and her husband are being held unlawfully in police custody. These are victims, not suspects. Their only crime is seeking justice for their stolen child. This unlawful detention is a deliberate attempt to intimidate and silence them,” he said.
Reacting, the state police spokesperson, Olayinka Ayanlade, rejected the allegations, insisting the command was professional in its handling of the case.
The PPRO said, “The allegation was untrue. The police command had been very professional about this matter. The family was just being mischievous about it. No matter what will be swept under the carpet in this case, and I can tell you that all those involved in the case will be made to face the law.”
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