A human rights lawyer, Tope Temokun, has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, over what he described as a cover-up in the investigation of a child kidnapping and trafficking case in Akure, Ondo State.
In the petition, Temokun also copied the Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), the Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, and the Director-General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).
Allegations Against the Police
The lawyer accused the Ondo State Police Command of attempting to frustrate the investigation into the abduction of a five-year-old girl, who was reportedly trafficked from Akure to Onitsha, Anambra State, and later sold in Asaba, Delta State, for ₦4.05 million.
According to Temokun, the police have been shielding the main suspect — a popular restaurant owner in Akure — who was allegedly the last person seen with the child before her disappearance.
He described the official police statement on the case, released on September 25, 2025 with reference number AZ:5280/ONS/PPRO/VOL.1/298, as a “deliberate distortion of facts.”
Temokun claimed the statement misrepresented the sequence of events, omitted crucial details, and suppressed the identities of key suspects. He specifically mentioned the omission of Mrs. Happiness Sunday, in whose custody the child was last seen, and Vivian Ngozi, described as a principal accessory.
“This deliberate misrepresentation erases the true complainants from the narrative, thereby concealing critical leads in the investigation,” he said.
Lawyer’s Demands
Temokun urged the IGP, the Ondo State Government, and the public to intervene to ensure justice for the victim and her family. His demands include:
The immediate and unconditional release of the child’s parents,A transparent investigation into the trafficking network, and The prosecution of all suspects involved in the case.
Police Response
In response, the spokesperson for the Ondo State Police Command, Ayanlade Olayinka, confirmed that the case was reported by the child’s stepfather. He stated that detectives had successfully rescued the girl in Asaba after tracking the suspects.
Olayinka dismissed the allegations of cover-up, clarifying that the matter was one of human trafficking and child stealing, not abduction.
“The investigation is transparent enough, and the records are there. Anyone can access them in writing. People should appreciate the police’s efforts,” he said.
The case continues to generate public interest, with calls for greater accountability in how child trafficking cases are handled in Nigeria.
