Police smash gang linked to ‘torso’ boy

DETECTIVES hunting the killer of the “torso in the Thames” victim last night said they had smashed the gang suspected of smuggling the African youngster into Britain.

In a dramatic dawn raid, more than 200 officers swooped on nine London addresses and arrested 21 people suspected of people trafficking and immigration offences.

The move could take police a step closer to finding the murderer of the unknown boy, called Adam, whose mutilated torso was found floating near Tower Bridge in September 2001.

The youngster, aged between four and seven, was believed to have been the victim of a ritualistic sacrifice after being smuggled from Nigeria via Europe.

Commander Andy Baker, of Scotland Yard, said there was a “very strong link” between those arrested yesterday and Adam and some were also linked to two people previously arrested in Ireland and Scotland. Detective Inspector Will O’Reilly, who leads the inquiry, said: “We are pretty confident that we have a group of individuals who would have trafficked Adam into the country but our inquiries are still at a very, very early stage.”

But police refused to discuss whether the group, most of who are Nigerians, may potentially contain Adam’s killer or whether the youngster would have been passed on to another party.

Adam is believed to have come from the Benin City area of south-west Nigeria, the same place as many of those arrested yesterday, police said.

Earlier this month, Nigerian Sam Onojhighovie, 37, was questioned by police in Dublin in connection with Adam’s death and officers believe he could be the boy’s natural father.

He is facing extradition to Germany, where he has already been convicted in his absence and sentenced to seven years for offences linked to human trafficking.

Orange shorts found on Adam’s torso can only be bought at Woolworths in Germany.

Onojhighovie is thought to be the estranged husband of Joyce Osagiede, who was arrested in connection with the murder a year ago in Glasgow but was not charged and later returned to Nigeria.

Those arrested in yesterday’s operation will be DNA tested to see if there is any family link with Adam, police said.