CHILD TRAFFICKING: Police Smash Syndicate, Recover Babies

Operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) at the Delta State Police Command have arrested child trafficking syndicates and recovered several babies within Asaba, Onitsha and Akwa Ibom.

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This comes barely two months after the police uncovered a baby factory behind NTA Asaba where over 13 babies and nine pregnant young girls were found.

Briefing journalists yesterday in Asaba, the state police commissioner, Alkali Baba Usman, disclosed that SARS operatives, acting on a tip-off about an interstate human and child trafficking cell in Asaba, swung into action and arrested one Nkiru Asouza and her husband, Chidiebele Udeagbala, around Nwaziki Street, Asaba. He said that, upon interrogation, the suspects confessed to the crime of child trafficking.

The police boss said that the suspect led SARS operatives to Onitsha in Anambra State where one Mary Bassey Okon was arrested and four other suspected trafficked children aged 1-5 years were recovered.

Alkali Baba Usman further disclosed that the suspects, upon further interrogation, led investigating team to Akwa Ibom State where one Ekaete Sunday, Etieno Mary Bassey, Stella John and two additional trafficked children of same age bracket were recovered, adding that two pregnant girls, Nancy Atume and Chidinma Johnson, were also recovered from the suspects.

According to the police boss, “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.

Meanwhile, the police have gunned down three die-hard armed robbers in Warri.

Alkali Baba Usman, police commissioner in the state, who confirmed the killing of the three-man armed gang, said they had been terrorizing Warri, Effurun and their environs and were killed at Apala road, Warri, after a fierce gun battle with the police last Friday.

He said that items recovered from the gang members include: Two AK.47 rifles Nos 562538090 and 562623141, and AK.49 rifle No. 1968Kh 9372, K2 rifle No. 061487, Forty-Three (43) rounds of AK ammunition and Vento Car with Reg. No. AE 681 BKW.

He added that the police onslaught against armed gangs will continue so as to ensure a hitch free yuletide.

Source: Leadership