Pastor arrested for child trafficking in Oyo State

A pastor in Oyo State has been arrested by the Nigerian Immigration Service for trafficking of children in Ibadan.

Pastor Olufemi Timothy was paraded along four other suspects for allegedly kidnapping and trafficking of children and teenagers.

According to the Controller of the command, Innocent Akatu, thee accused persons were apprehended in various locations in Ibadan.

“Human trafficking is a serious crime that we are trying to end. We have very young children being taken away from their parents under the pretext that the traffickers would get jobs for them or give them a better standard of living. Many of them are brought into Nigeria from Benin Republic, Togo and other neighbouring countries. They are sold into slavery by those who brought them into the country,” Innocent said.

It was revealed that Timothy and 12 of the victims were apprehended in Iwo Road area of Ibadan.

Speaking to the press, Timothy explained that he had only come from his farm to help a labourer when he was apprehended.

“I am a pastor and a farmer. There is a labourer in my farm who called me from Ibadan. He said he was stranded in the city. I ran down quickly to help him out at Iwo Road. He had 12 children with him from Benin Republic but I never knew he had such people in his company. I cannot deny knowing him but all I was trying to do was to help him, not knowing that he was trafficking children to Nigeria. I have foreigners in my farm but I don’t know how they entered into Nigeria. They were already here before I employed them,” Timothy said.

The victims-12 boys and four girls- were also paraded before newsmen.