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The Delta State Police Command has refuted allegations of child trafficking leveled against it by section of online broadcast, saying “it is malicious, unfounded and meant to tarnish the reputable image of the Command and rubbish its hard work over the years.”
In a statement signed by the Command’s PPRO DSP Edafe Bright, the Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Ali Ari, frowned at the originator of the story, asking to what end?
The online collaborators (not NAOSNP Members) had alleged that the Command was in the habit of returning rescued victims of child trafficking to the Ministry of Women Affairs, thereby trafficking them anew, making one wonder what else is the right thing since that is the appropriate agency to take responsibility.
The CP lambasted the originator, one Ighorhiohwunu Aghogho, for the allegation while clarifying that “it is solely the responsibility of either the State or federal government to cater for a found child and provide requisite facilities or ensure that the facilities are provided by approved adoption services as may be prescribed by the appropriate authority when, and if the need arises.”
Part of the statement read, “The attention of Delta State Police Command has been drawn to several online publications including Sahara reporters credited to one Ighorhiohwunu Aghogho, a self-acclaimed human right activist and State Coordinator Take it back (TIB), Delta State Chapter.
“In the said publication, he alleged that Police Officers of the Command, after rescuing victims of child trafficking, hands over the rescued children to the Ministry of Women Affairs in a way of aiding the Commissioner of Police Delta State Command, in trafficking the rescued children. One question which remained unanswered by the said Aghogho is how handing over found children to the Government Ministry empowered by the constitution of Nigeria to take custody of such children translates to child trafficking?
“For the avoidance of doubt and for the purpose of clarification, the Command wishes to emphasize that it is solely the responsibility of either the State or federal government to cater for a found child and provide requisite facilities or ensure that the facilities are provided by approved adoption services as may be prescribed by the appropriate authority when, and if the need arises. Section 125 of the CHILD’S RIGHT ACT of Nigeria.
