Four Nigerians Declared Missing By Families After Business Trip, Arrested, Arraigned For Illegal Entry In Benin Republic
These Nigerian nationals were earlier declared missing by their family members, saying they travelled to Benin Republic for business activities.
Four Nigerian men have been arrested and arraigned in Benin Republic for illegal migration.
These Nigerian nationals were earlier declared missing by their family members, saying they travelled to Benin Republic for business activities.
A family source told SaharaReporters on Monday that their mobile lines had not been reachable since Wednesday, October 23, 2024.
According to the family source, the four men confirmed their arrival in Benin Republic on Tuesday, October 22, and that they were staying at the F&F Hotel in the Savalou region.
“Since that moment, by Wednesday, their phone numbers could not be reached again. The phone number of their business partner is also not reachable,” the family source added.
The family identified their business partner in Benin Republic as one Ogah K. Anthonin.
A statement issued by the family read: “Habeeb Adesola, 32 years old and Baseer Adesola, 36 years old, businessmen, indigenes of Ede, Osun State, but residents of Ilorin, Kwara State embarked on international business trips from Ilorin to Benin Republic on Tuesday, October 22, 2024.
“The siblings and their friends Moshood Afolabi and Rufai Gafar left Ilorin in the Toyota Camry ‘Muscle’ with registration number ABJ 607GGE. Mr. Anthony is the business partner they all travelled to meet in Benin Republic on Tuesday.
“The last conversation on the phone with Baseer, the elder of the two brothers, was on Wednesday, October 23, at about 8.51am. Their phone numbers have remained unreachable since that day.
“The aged mother, the wives and the entire family members have been having sleepless nights since Wednesday, 23rd October, 2024.
“The family and friends called on the authorities of Benin Republic and Nigeria govt to help us facilitate the safe return of our beloved brothers.”
Giving an update on the issue, a family member told SaharaReporters on Tuesday morning that the Nigerian men had been contacted by their wives.
The family source said the Benin Republic Government arrested and arraigned them in court for illegal entry into the West African country.
The source said: “They have been in communication with their respective wives this morning. They were arrested for illegal entry into Republic Du Benin.”
“They were all arraigned in court this morning,” the source added.
When SaharaReporters reached out to the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), its Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, advised the family to hire legal representatives for the arrested suspects.
He also urged them to write a petition to the Commission for proper action to be taken on the matter.
