Yusuf Oketola
Ejike Anochike, the husband of Blessing Anochike, who was reportedly arrested for alleged child trafficking in the Ibafo area of Ogun State, has cried out for help.
According to Ejike, the three children rescued from their house were serving as house helps, denying that they were being sold to them.
Saturday PUNCH recalls that the Ogun State Police Command arrested Blessing alongside two other persons for the alleged theft and sale of children in Ibafo on September 6, 2026.
The two other suspects are Kikelomo Jimoh and Elizabeth Kayode.
Speaking with Saturday PUNCH, Ejike said two of the children, Rebecca and Abdurusheed, were brought to them by their families, while only Christiana was brought to them by the two suspects.
Ejike said they enrolled Rebecca and Christiana in school, while the children also assisted with household chores.
“I am appealing to Nigerians and the Inspector-General of Police on this matter. My wife is not into trafficking. We got the children through their families to assist us in the house. We also enrolled them in school at the same time.
“Meanwhile, Rebecca’s family has come to pick her up after the incident. We have been calling Rasheed’s guardian, who stays in Kwara State, to come and pick him up since the incident, but he has refused to show up. We even offered to cover his transportation costs.
“Christiana brought him home after he ran away from home. He had nowhere to sleep. We learnt that his parents died. That’s why we accommodated him, not knowing that he had a guardian.
“My wife paid the two suspects for Christiana, and they agreed on a certain amount to be paid for her on a monthly basis.”
Meanwhile, the Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Oluseyi Babaseyi, said the case was still under investigation when contacted on Friday.
“The case is under investigation,” he said.
Copyright PUNCH
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.
Contact: health_wise@punchng.
