The Delta State Police Command has revealed that preliminary investigations indicate the 11-year-old girl arrested at the Ekpan Police Division was allegedly being used to traffic illicit drugs.
This was disclosed on Friday by the command’s spokesperson, SP Bright Edafe, via his official X handle, following criticism on social media regarding the girl’s arrest and detention.
A Nigerian woman known as Kat, who tweets under the handle #Living\_JustCus, had alleged that she paid N500,000 to secure the release of the minor. According to her, the child was detained alongside adults found in possession of hard drugs in a commercial tricycle.
She further alleged that the girl was held without access to her family and was denied communication before the purported bail was paid.
In response to the allegations, the police command on Thursday denounced the incident and urged the accuser to present evidence supporting her claims.
Providing an update on Friday, Edafe confirmed that the young girl had been taken into custody and had confessed to both knowledge of and handling of illegal substances.
Edafe explained that the child claimed she was being used by a woman she referred to as her “mummy” to transport drugs, under the assumption that her young age would protect her from scrutiny.
Edafe said, “A woman whom the little girl identified as her mummy sent her to move drugs thinking she wouldn’t be searched being a little girl. The little girl herself identified the drugs as Molly, Csc codeine, and black diamond.
“When she was asked how long she had been helping the woman the little girl said she started last week. But what shocked me the most in her video confession is how she knows the names of these dangerous drugs at just 11 years old.
“If I am lying, let them come and prove me wrong. Perhaps the embarrassing video might just be published for all to see.”
As of the time of filing this report, the police had not confirmed whether the woman allegedly involved in using the minor had been apprehended.