Police Arrest Suspected Traffickers, Recover Baby In Akwa Ibom

Operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command, in their intensified surveillance during the ongoing Easter season, busted a syndicate specialising in trafficking new babies and trading them off for cash.

LEADERSHIP gathered that the criminal gang bought most of the children at baby factories from willing young girls who claimed they could not support taking care of their children due to their economic conditions.

Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Command, DSP Timfon John, said luck ran out of the syndicate as they were intercepted along the Nsit Atai local government portion of Oron Road.

John told Journalists on Easter Monday that “operatives of the command while on patrol along the Nsit Atai/Oron Road, intercepted a Mazda vehicle with registration number YAB 454 AA.

The PPRO said vehicle was driven by one Bethel Anyanwu with two female occupants along with a two-day-old baby, explaining that upon interrogation, the occupants could not provide a satisfactory explanation regarding the infant.

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“Following a series of interrogations, one Nasikpo Sonia Labere, a female, and Inemesit Okin Akpan, a female, confessed to being sent from the neighbouring Port Harcourt, Rivers State, by one Waazor Godwin, a female, and one Lilian Duru, a female, to collect the baby from one Miss Grace Inyang in Oron,” she added.

John added that further investigation led to the arrest of one Alison Eduno, who facilitated the connection between the buyer and the seller.

“The grandmother and the mother of the baby, identified as Grace Walter, a 55-year-old female, and Blessing Walter, a 20-year-old female, both residing in Otioro, were also apprehended had confessed to selling the baby for N800,000,” the PPRO said.

She added that all the suspects are currently in police custody, while the rescued baby has been taken to the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare in Uyo for care and custody pending the conclusion of investigation.