By Deborah Nnamdi
Operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command has reported the rescue of a two-day-old baby and the arrest of two human traffickers attempting to sell the infant for N800,000.
Timfon John, the Police Public Relations Officer, made this known in a statement issued in Uyo on Monday.
John explained that the command’s operatives intercepted a vehicle along the Nsit Atai-Oron Road, which was driven by a male and had two female occupants with a newborn baby.
He further stated that the rescued baby has been taken to the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare in Uyo for care and custody while the investigation is ongoing.
John said, “The Akwa Ibom State Police Command, in its effort to protect lives and property, has intercepted a suspected child trafficking syndicate.
“Operatives of the command, while on patrol along the Nsit Atai-Oron Road, intercepted a Mazda vehicle with registration number YAB 454 AA.
“The vehicle was driven by one Bethel Anyanwu, a male, and had two female occupants along with a two-day-old baby.
“Upon interrogation, the occupants could not provide a satisfactory explanation regarding the infant.
“Following a series of interrogations, one Nasikpo Sonia Labere, a female, and Inemesit Okin Akpan, a female, confessed to being sent from Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
”(They were allegedly sent) by one Waazor Godwin, a female, and one Lilian Duru, a female, to collect the baby from one Miss Grace Inyang in Oron.”
The police spokesperson said the investigation had revealed that one Alison Eduno facilitated the connection between the buyer and the seller.
She added that the police apprehended the grandmother and the mother of the baby, identified as Grace Walter, 55 years old, and Blessing Walter, 20 years old, both residing in Oti Oron.
According to her, they confessed to selling the baby for the sum of N800,000.
The PPRO added that all the suspects were in police custody and would be arraigned in court after investigations had been concluded.
