Benue State Police command has arrested a five-man syndicate specialised in child trafficking at the Internal Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps across the state.
The Police public relations officer (PPRO), Catherine Anene, who disclosed this in a statement explained that following information about a syndicate of child traffickers operating around IDP camps at Northbank and other parts of Makurdi, surveillance was intensified and four persons were arrested while the kingpin escaped.
He gave the names of those arrested to include, the Kingpin’s wife, Member Friday, alongside his accomplice, Stephen Terungwa, Sughter Akegh and Atom Gideon; while the kingpin one Friday escaped to an unknown destination.
According to her, during the investigation, the suspects confessed to have recruited pregnant girls who gave birth and handed over to one Friday, the kingpin who has been on the run.
They informed that each of the pregnant women received N150,000 for each pregnancy that was delivered.
She said, “One child that was earlier reported missing by his parents at Daudu Police Division was also rescued from the house of the said kingpin.”
The PPRO advised members of the public to ensure that their children are in safe places at all times especially now that they are on holidays.
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