Operatives attached to the Delta State Police Command have smashed a child trafficking syndicate with some abducted children recovered in Asaba, Onitsha and Akwa Ibom.
The State Police Commissioner, Alkali Baba Usman while briefing newsmen on Monday in Asaba, said SARS operatives, acting on a tip-off on an interstate human and child trafficking syndicate swung into action.
He said the police operatives in the process nabbed one Nkiru Asouza and her husband, Chidiebele Udeagbala, in Nwaziki Street, Asaba, adding that upon interrogation, the suspects confessed to the crime of child trafficking.
Usman noted that the couple led SARS operatives to Onitsha in Anambra State where one Mary Bassey Okon was apprehended while four suspected trafficked children aged between 1 and 5 years were recovered.
The police boss further stated that the suspects, upon further interrogation, led the investigating team to Akwa Ibom State where one Ekaete Sunday, Etieno Mary Bassey, Stella John and two additional trafficked children of the same age were rescued, adding that two pregnant girls, Nancy Atume and Chidinma Johnson, were also rescued.
Usman said, “The suspects confessed that the two pregnant girls were directed to them after having been variously pregnant to enable them nurse the pregnancy with a view to selling the babies after delivery.”
He said Chidima Johnson and six children were handed over to the Delta State Ministry of Women Affairs, while Nancy Atume was handed over to her parents.
Comments