Operatives of the Ondo State Security Network Agency, known as Amotekun Corps, have dismantled a suspected child trafficking and organ-harvesting syndicate that had been operating between Ondo and Anambra states.

 

The breakthrough came after a young boy, Eriponmile, was abducted from the Ijoka Davog area in Akure, the state capital. Acting swiftly, Amotekun launched an intensive investigation and tracked the child to a hospital in the southeastern region of the country. The child had reportedly undergone medical screening in preparation for organ harvesting.

 

Commander of the Amotekun Corps, Adetunji Adeleye, who paraded the suspects, confirmed that the operation led to the boy’s safe rescue and the arrest of several members of the syndicate.

 

“We received a distress call regarding the abduction of Eriponmile and immediately deployed our operatives. Within 48 hours, our intelligence revealed the child had been moved out of Ondo State,” Adeleye said. “We tracked him to a hospital in the East, where a woman identified as Amaka had already certified him fit for organ harvesting.”

 

According to Adeleye, the arrested suspects include Amaka Ngozi Ifeanyi (suspected ring leader), Adaeze Kenneth Etose, and Omolara. Two other accomplices remain at large.

 

Amaka reportedly confessed to being involved in the sale of babies, claiming she supplied infants to a motherless babies’ home in Onitsha for ₦500,000 each. “After my husband died, I began taking babies to Onitsha for sale,” she said, naming two alleged collaborators, Tosin and Mr. Adewale Olokungboye.

 

In a shocking revelation, another suspect admitted to selling her own three children. “I gave them Jessica, Segun, and Ojo. My one-year-old son was sold for ₦500,000. They said he was AS and couldn’t be used for harvesting, but I don’t know how much was finally paid,” she stated.

 

Adaeze, the daughter of the alleged ringleader, distanced herself from the operation. “I wasn’t involved. When they planned the trip, my mother asked me to follow them, but I refused,” she said, adding that she had since cut ties with her mother after the incident.

 

The boy’s father, Eriseun Omolewo, expressed deep gratitude to the state government and Amotekun for rescuing his son.

 

“We’ve been searching for Eriponmile since last Tuesday. I thank the government of Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa and the Ondo Amotekun Corps for their tireless efforts in bringing him back,” he said.

 

Authorities have vowed to continue the manhunt for the remaining suspects while ensuring that those in custody face justice.