- Safiu Kehinde
The Nigeria Police Force has burst two major human trafficking syndicates operating within the country, rescuing multiple victims while arresting a total of eleven suspects in Enugu, Anambra, and Ondo states.
The rescued victims include a four-month old baby, pregnant women, and 40 Ghanaians nationals.
This was made known in a statement issued on Monday by the Force’s Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi.
According to the statement, the operatives of the Zone-13 Police Command, acting on intelligence, executed a precision-led sting operation.
The operation, which was targeted at deeply rooted child trafficking and baby factory network in Enugu and Anambra states, led to the arrest of eight suspects from various locations.
Some of the arrested suspects include Uzoamaka Ani (27), Joy Madu (52), and Victoria Onodu Akasike (56).
The suspects during interrogation confessed to active involvement in child theft, abduction, illegal adoption schemes.
They carry out there operation at an unlicensed medical facilities functioning as baby factories across Enugu and Anambra states with vulnerable women and children as their target for exploitation and sale.
The victims rescued during the operation include a seven-month-old infant, a four-year-old child, and two heavily pregnant women, all held under captivity in a remote village.
According to Adejobi, both pregnant women, identified as indigenes of Ebonyi State, were reportedly lured and held for the purpose of forced births and subsequent sale of their newborns.
While the victims are now in safe custody and receiving necessary care, the Police disclosed that efforts have intensified to apprehend other members of the syndicate who managed to escape during the sting.
In a similar development, operatives of the Ondo State Police Command have successfully rescued a Ghanaian national, David Angerinya, who was trafficked into Nigeria under pretences.
This operation was launched following a formal petition from the Interpol Liaison Office at Force Headquarters, Abuja, calling for immediate police intervention in a suspected case of transnational human trafficking.
In reaction, the operatives of the Ondo Police Command initiated a targeted investigation that led to the arrest of three suspects: Hayford Nyamekye, Awine Alex, and Kojo Felix.
Investigations revealed that these suspects are part of a wider international trafficking syndicate that specialises in deceiving individuals, particularly from neighbouring West African countries, with fake promises of employment and travel visas to countries like Canada.
During the operation, an additional thirty-nine Ghanaian nationals were discovered to have fallen victim to the same group.
Many of them lacked valid travel documentation, while those in possession of passports presented expired papers, further underscoring the depth of exploitation.
The victims were found in distressing conditions and are currently undergoing medical treatment.
In his remark, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun , commended the gallantry of all operatives involved in these successful operations.
This, according to the Police chief underscored the firm stance of the Nigeria Police Force against all forms of human trafficking, child exploitation, and transnational crimes.
The Force urged members of the public to maintain vigilance and support ongoing efforts by reporting any suspicious individuals or movements to the nearest police station or command.
It reiterated its commiment in its duty to protect the vulnerable and bring perpetrators to justice.