The Lagos State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of four members of an organization that allegedly specialised in endangering the lives of child beggars to attract alms from members of the public in the state.

A Good Samaritan on his way to a destination in the Kirikiri area of FESTAC, Lagos saw one of the suspects using an ointment to rob the protruded stomach of a girl in the early hours of the day.

The Good Samaritan therefore raised an alarm and the suspect, alongside three other accomplices, were apprehended and taken to the FESTAC Police Station for investigation.

The suspects are Uchenna Eze, 24; Onyedikachkwu Isiala, 18; Ikechukwu Kingsley, 22; and Smart Alasuomu, 20.

It was learnt that the suspects, alongside others still at large, allegedly targeted minors within the age range of 11 and 13.

Eze, when interrogated, however said that the children were suffering from ailments.

He said, “They (children) are inside their village in Abakaliki. So, when one of my aunts, Ngozi Chukwu, who is the founder of the foundation, saw other associations parading in Lagos, she knew these kinds of cases are in her village in Abakaliki and she went there and brought these ones (children).

Eze said further that the girls’ parents are in the know of their children in Lagos and what they do.

He stated that the money raised from the alms would be used to treat or operate on them.

He said, “I have a sister like them; I can never do such a thing in my life. There is no one that we give medicine to make their stomach swell. But we normally treat them.”

Speaking further, Eze said he had commited to the business since December 2020.he added that the children see their families sometimes too.

“I can’t say the period these girls have been begging, but the money raised from the begging is usually deposited in an account controlled by Ngozi Chukwu, who is the owner of the foundation.

“When it is time for the surgery, Dr Ajayi will do it. He has operated on one patient and the boy is now in the village. She (Chukwu) will soon land anytime soon; she left Lagos last month for the village. She heard her mother fell sick and went there to stay with her.”

However, Ajayi had been evading police invitation for questioning regarding the matter.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, who confirmed the arrest of the suspects, said efforts were on to bring in the doctor for questioning.

He said, “A few days that the children spent with the police, their stomachs came down. So, it was something that they (victims) were allegedly given regularly that is making their stomach protrude. So, the more the protruded stomach shines with what they use in robbing it, the more people will believe that the children have a very bad condition.

“The doctor has been avoiding police invitations. Each time the police go to the hospital, he is not always around, and when the police call his phone, he keeps saying he is busy and will come. But he has not come. This shows there is foul play. The suspects are in custody. Investigation is ongoing”, he concluded.

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