Pro-democracy group, Take It Back Movement, has accused the Delta State Commissioner of Police, Ali Mohammed Ari, of stalling the probe into the alleged kidnapping and trafficking of over ten thousand children by the police stations in the state.
The group had petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, that some Delta State children have been missing for the past 30 years.
According to the petition dated 10th October 2021, TIB claimed that these children were trafficked with the support of various police divisions and commands across the state from 1991 to date.
It also alleged that since the approval was given by the IGP on the investigation, Ari has been using delay tactics.
This was contained in a statement issued by TIB State Coordinator, Delta State Chapter, Ighorhiohwunu Aghogho, obtained by SaharaReporters on Wednesday.
The statement is titled, “CP Delays In Carrying Out IGP’s Order On The Investigation Of Thousands Of Children Allegedly Abducted And Trafficked Through Police Stations In Delta.’
It read, “The Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Ali Mohammed Ari, has yet to carry out the order of the Inspector General of Police mandating him to investigate and possibly locate the whereabouts of over ten thousand children allegedly abducted and trafficked through police divisions and commands of the Delta State Police Command from 1991, the year of creation of Delta State till date.
“Via a petition dated 10th October 2021, titled, “In the case of the alleged abduction and trafficking of over ten thousand children through the Delta State Police Command,” written by Take It Back Delta State Chapter, the Inspector-General of Police, Alkali Baba Usman, had directed the Delta State Commissioner of Police, through a letter dated 14/10/2021, referenced IGP.SEC/ABJ/VOL.557/184 to deal with the allegation contained in the said petition.
“The letter reads in part: ‘Attached herewith is a copy of the letter dated 10th October 2021 received from Take It Back (TIB) on the above-underlined subject, the inspector –General Police directs that you deal….”, the letter stated. The letter was signed by CP Idowu Owohunwa, the Principal Staff Officer to the Inspector-General of Police.
“It will be recalled that Take It Back (TIB), Delta State chapter, in a petition dated 10/10/2021, had alleged that thousands of children were abducted and trafficked through divisions and commands of the Delta State Police Command, from 1991, the creation of Delta State, till date.
“Find attached the soft copy of the said petition dated 10/10/2021 addressed to the IGP.”
