NAPTIP, police arrest child trafficking syndicate, recovers baby

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP in collaboration with police have arrested eight members of a child trafficking syndicate for allegedly stealing and selling a three-month old baby boy in Ebonyi State.

PREMIUM TIMES gathered that the baby boy was sold to a woman in Abuja at the cost of N910, 000.

The NAPTIP Desk Officer in Ebonyi State, Florence Onwa, explained that the baby boy known as Agbanwe Agbanwe Omogo and his 17- year-old mother, Miracle were lured by a family friend known as Chinonye Agu from their community Abogodo in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State to Onitcha in Anambra State.

She noted that the suspected trafficker drugged Miracle and took her baby away and later sold him to one Philip from Awgu in Enugu State who later sold the baby boy to other persons in Kogi and Abuja

Mrs. Onwa however stated that Miracle’s uncle invited police to arrest the suspect when she brought Miracle back to Ohaukwu to inform him that the baby died in Onitsha when his mother developed mental illness.

Narrating her ordeal, Miracle alleged that before her baby was sold, she was drugged with herbs by the suspected trafficker who later took her to a shrine in Kogi state while she was unconscious.

Miracle’s uncle, Cyprian Enyi commended NAPTIP and Ebonyi State Police Command for recovering the baby.

The Director, Child Development and Social Welfare, Ebonyi State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Mr Godwin Igwe appealed to relevant authorities to assist the Ministry in the rehabilitation of Miracle and her baby.

Confirming arrest, the police spokesman in the state, Loveth Odah said the suspects had been charged to court.