Child Trafficking Bust in Soroti City: Six Arrested, Including School Proprietor
By The Public Lens
A shocking child trafficking operation was uncovered in Soroti City on Friday, September 20, 2024, after vigilant community members tipped off the police .
The authorities swiftly arrested six individuals, including Lazarus Okol, the 28-year-old proprietor of Atiira Victory Nursery and Primary School in Serere District.
The suspects, which included Joshua Ekweru, 24, Esther Among, 27, Richard Otim, 39, Simon Otim, 46, and Teddy Atel, 27, were caught in Pamba Ward, Soroti City, while allegedly trafficking eleven children to an unknown destination.
According to Acting East Kyoga Regional Police Spokesman, Edison Obukulem, the arrest was initiated after a resident became suspicious of the unusual behavior of the suspects while attending to the children
. Concerns grew after Esther Among was seen beating some of the children, drawing the attention of several onlookers.
Obukulem stated, “The group claims they were picking up the children under the guise of an educational sponsorship program… However, the specifics of this so-called sponsorship are still unclear, and we are investigating further”.
The children, aged 5-15 years, including four girls, are now safe, but their intended destination and the exact purpose of the alleged trafficking remain unknown.
The police are holding the suspects at the East Kyoga Regional Police Headquarters for further interrogation. A case of child trafficking has been opened under CRB 246/2024.
Obukulem urged community members to remain vigilant, cautioning parents and guardians to verify the authenticity of organizations or individuals offering educational or financial support for children.
“We advise parents and guardians to always verify the authenticity of such offers by consulting local authorities and the police before handing over their children,” he said.
This incident has sparked concern among residents, highlighting the growing threat of child trafficking in the region.
One resident expressed, “It’s terrifying to think that people can come under the pretense of helping our children and instead be using them for personal gains”
