A raid carried out by the police at a rehabilitation centre in Gaa Odota in Ilorin, Kwara State capital has led to the rescue of 108 inmates of the facility.
The State Commissioner of Police, Kayode Egbetokun who countered claims of the owner of the facility, Abdulraheem Owotutu on the center being a place where Islam and Arabic is taught as well as healing of mentally ill people, drug addicts and stubborn children, stated that they received intelligence and surveyed the place for some days before carrying out the raid.
“The Illegal rehabilitation center was discovered through intelligence gathering and we busted the place today where we discovered some underground homes where the people are kept.
“I have spoken to some of them who claimed their parents took them there and investigation is ongoing to know if what people said about the place is true and the claims by the victims,” he said.
Speaking to newsmen, some of the rescued inmates identified as Collins Temitope Owonifaari and Warith Hussein said they were tortured at the facility they spent four months and 20 days in. They also disclosed that their parents paid N100,000 for the commencement of their treatment and also sent in N15,000 monthly for their upkeep.
One of the female inmates revealed that they were raped by one of the owner’s brothers and his sons.