Anambra Squad Busts Child Trafficking Ring, Rescues Two Children Sold for N3.5m
The Anambra State Special Anti-Touting Squad Agency has arrested a suspected child trafficker and rescued two children believed to have been stolen and sold for ₦3.5 million, Global Mirror News gathered.
The suspect, identified as Sunday Nomen, was arrested on Sunday March 30, in Nkpor.
According to information obtained by Global Mirror News, the 42-year-old suspect, who hails from Ebonyi State, is believed to be part of an inter-state child trafficking syndicate involved in stealing and selling children as young as six months old to willing buyers.
Speaking while parading the suspect at the agency’s headquarters in Onitsha on Monday, the spokesperson for the Agency, Karen James, said the arrest followed an intelligence-led operation carried out by SASA operatives.
She explained that an undercover operative posed as a buyer interested in one of the children in the suspect’s custody. During negotiations, the suspect was apprehended.
Two children, aged three and eight, were rescued during the operation after security personnel stormed the location where they were being kept.
Global Mirror News further gathered that the suspect confessed during interrogation that he bought the children for ₦3.5 million.
Investigators also discovered that the suspect had travelled to Onitsha to meet an alleged accomplice identified as Mrs. Uju, who reportedly introduced him to the child trafficking business.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the children had been lodged in a hotel in Nkpor while the suspect waited to reconnect with other members of the trafficking network.
James said the successful operation once again highlighted the effectiveness of the agency in combating crime and protecting vulnerable residents across the State.
She added that the suspect would be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Awka for further investigation as authorities intensify efforts to track down other members of the syndicate.
