The Delta State Coalition of Civil Society Organisations has petitioned the Inspector General of Police, and the Chairman, Police Service Commission, over the case of a woman, Promise Nwaigbo, and her six-year-old child, whose whereabouts have remained unknown in the state.
In the petition titled, “An open letter to the Inspector General of Police and Chairman of Police Service Commission on bias by AIG Zone 5 Benin City and Anti-Vice Department”, the spokesman for the CSO, Victor Ojei, said Nwaigbo, who was a victim of human trafficking was allegedly murdered.
Ojei said, “The same people who committed a crime are the same people who ran to the AIG Zone 5 for help. We must ensure that the world becomes aware of the actions taken by the AIG and the potential consequences for the pursuit of justice in this matter.
“We diligently gathered regarding this case, the attempts to undermine the investigation and release the suspects. I am writing to bring to your attention a grave incident of human trafficking and murder that occurred in Ibusa, in the Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State.
“The incident involves Miss Promise Nwaigbo, a young mother and a six-year-old child, who has gone missing under suspicious circumstances and is believed to have been a victim of heinous crimes committed by one Chibuzor, Okechukwu, and Chinwendu.”
Ojei said on April 2023, Nwaigbo informed her roommate about her plan to meet an acquaintance at a hotel in the Ibusa community, and an Okada rider, Dozie Ezeh, took her to the place where she was scheduled to meet with 36-year-old Chibuzor.
He said, “However when her roommate realised that Nwaigbo had not returned after a few hours, they initiated a search. During the investigation, it was discovered that the prime suspect, Chibuzor, left the hotel with Nwaigbo and her six-year-old child.”
Ojei explained that the Ibusa Police Station initially apprehended the owner and manager of the hotel but the investigation proved that they were innocent in the disappearance of the victims.
He said the case was later transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department on May 2, 2023, adding that while the investigation was ongoing, a breastfeeding mother arrived at the same hotel with her baby and was waiting for someone.
Ojei said the hotel manager became suspicious when he observed that a similar tactic led to the disappearance of Nwaigbo and her child and quickly alerted the police and the people in the community, adding that the suspect was arrested.
Thereafter, a search was conducted at the suspect’s house where Nwaigbo’s phone and a torchlight belonging to her were found, adding that the discoveries were confirmed by the victim’s roommate, Igbe Uche.
“It is disheartening to note that Promise Nwaigbo and her six-year-old child have not been found to date. In light of these distressing circumstances, we kindly request your urgent intervention in this matter. We believe that justice must be served not only for the people of Delta State but also for the global girl child,” Ojei added.
Contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Bright Edafe, confirmed that the case had been transferred to Zone 5 Benin.
But the spokesperson for Zone 5, DSP Tijani Momoh, said the case had also been transferred back to the Delta State Police Command for the suspects to be arraigned.
“Yes, but we have handed the case back to the state command to arraign them in court,” Momoh said.
