SSS hands over teenage stowaway to Edo govt

The Department of State Security Services on Tuesday handed over teenage stowaway, Daniel Oikhena, to the Edo State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.

Daniel, it was gathered, was brought in from Lagos two weeks after he was discovered in the tyre compartment of an Arik plane on a flight to Lagos from Benin. He was, however, denied access to his mother, Mrs. Evelyn Oikhena.

Daniel had been in the custody of the DSSS in Lagos, before his release to the Edo State Government.

Journalists and family members were denied access to the teenage boy at DSS office in Benin, as he was being handed over to ministry officials amidst tight security, at about 12pm.

The mother, it was further gathered, was not allowed to see her son when she visited the ministry.

Speaking with journalists, Mrs. Oikhena lamented that efforts by her to meet with the son was rebuffed by the ministry officials.

She said, “I was not allowed to see my son at the SSS office when I was told he was there. I went there but they said they have taken him to the ministry of women affairs. I was given a number to call, but I have been calling the number but there has been no response.”PUNCH