NAPTIP nabs four persons for child trafficking in A’Ibom

Ini Friday

The Uyo Zonal Command of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has arrested four suspects involved in child trafficking.
It was learnt that one Mrs Eno Ime, 35, who is a single mother of eight could not take care of her eight children and her ninth month pregnancy.
This situation was said to have made her in need and vulnerable.
The NAPTIP’s Zonal Commander in Uyo, Nduka Nwanwenne, said following her vulnerability, her neighbour, Ita Udofia, 45, pretended to assist by introducing her to one Juliana Effiong, 40.
Effiong, who is a traditional birth attendant and quasi nurse based in Port Harcourt, is said to be the prime suspect in the trafficked child.
Nwanwenne said the prime suspect sent some money through Udofia to Ime to enable to her to go to Port Harcourt to meet the her (Effiong).
He said, “In Port Harcourt, the victim was administered with some drugs and was delivered of a baby. The victim was further induced with drugs that put her in a coma after delivery.
“When, however, she came around, she was informed that her baby was dead.
“She said she saw N250,000 in her handbag but handed over the money to one man to help her retrieve her baby.
“Meanwhile, the suspect had arranged to hand over the baby to one Nneka Ejekwu, who had cryptic pregnancy.
“Effiong was said to have been treating both Mr and Mrs Ejekwu with fertility drugs to enable her to conceive a baby.”
According to Nwanwenne, Effiong cornered the new-born baby. He added that Nneka, who had earlier parted with N1,3000,000 was invited by Effiong and induced into labour.
The commander stated that by the time Nneka came around, she was presented with a new-born baby of the victim as hers.
Nwanwenne, however, vowed that no effort shall be spared to burst the entire syndicate.