By Samuel Ogenyi, Uyo
The Uyo Zonal Command of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has arrested four suspects for child trafficking.
In a statement by Mr Nduka Nwanwenne, Uyo Zonal Coordinator of NAPTIP yesterday, Mrs Eno Ime (35), Mr Ita Udofia(45), Mrs Juliana Effiong (40) and Mrs.Nneka Ejekwu were arrested for their involvement in the illegal sale of a new born baby without the consent of the mother.
According to the statement, “one Mrs Eno Ime (35) a single mother of eight (8) children was apparently in difficulties of taking care of her full blown ninth pregnancy and her children.
“This situation made her to be in need and very vulnerable At this point, her neighbour, Mr. Ita Jacob Udofia (45) pretended to assist by introducing her to one Mrs Juliana Effiong (40), the prime suspect who is a traditional birth attendant and quasi nurse based in Port-Harcourt.
“The victim was sent some money through Mr. Udofia, to come over to Port-Harcourt to meet the prime suspect.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 the sum of 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 handover the baby to one Mrs. Nneka Ejekwu, who had cryptic pregnancy.Mrs.Juliana Effiong was said to have been treating both Mr and Mrs. Ejekwu with fertility drugs to enable her conceive of a baby.
“Having cornered the new born baby, Mrs Ejekwu, who had earlier parted with the sum of one million and three hundred thousand ,(#1,300,000) was invited by Juliana and induced into labour. By the time she came around, she was presented with a new born baby of the victim as her baby.” It explained.
The statement said that agency would not spare any effort in discouraging, arresting and prosecuting perpetuators of such crime in the zone while promising to burst the syndicate involved in this latest offence.
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