Katakwi-Police are holding a couple for locking up their son-in-law for more than three months. The suspects are Abdul Ilemut and his wife, Rukia Abdul alias Kamala, both residents of Angopet Cell, Katakwi Town Council.
The couple was picked up after it emerged that they had confined their son-in-law Joel Okabe since July this year. Okabe is married to the couple’s daughter, Majuma Akello.
Trouble for the couple started when his family reported his disappearance to the police. Zadok Akutu, the Katakwi Town Council LC III Chairperson, says that Okabe’s family had traced for him for two months in vain. According to Akutu, Obake’s family contacted his inlaws to ascertain his whereabouts but they reportedly said they didn’t know anything.
“When the in-laws denied knowledge of Okabe’s whereabouts, the uncle (Peter Emukoki) reported the matter to the Police. With the intelligence from the neighbors, Rukia was seen escorting Okabe to the pit latrine on Monday prompting the neighbors to alert the Police”, he said.
This led to the arrest of the entire household. According to Akutu, the family claims that they had provided shelter to their in-law who is running away from his creditors. “Okabe is reported to have acquired a loan of five million Shillings from Opportunity Bank to facilitate his transport business but his business partner disappeared with the car. This forced Okabe into hiding”, Akutu adds.
All the family members declined to speak on the matter when contacted by our reporter. A police officer at Katakwi Central Police Station told URN that they have preferred charges of trafficking in persons against the family.
Oscar Ageca, the East Kyoga Regional Police Spokesman promised to comment on the matter after receiving a brief from the officers on the ground.
Source: URN
