By Steve Unegbu

Operatives of NSCDC, Abia State Command, Umuahia at about 0600hrs on Sunday, 17th October, 2021 arrested a suspected Child trafficker who have been on her trail for allegedly adopting and negotiating to sale a four (4) year old baby boy. He allegedly kidnapped his victim in Laguru, Ubakala, Umuahia South LGA of Abia State.

The suspect who upon interrogation gave his name as Ifeanyi Good luck Joseph (M)(21yrs) was arrested in his family house through a sustained surveillance after he narrowly escaped arrest a week before when intelligence on his criminal activities especially child trafficking was received.
Speaking to newsmen in Umuahia, the Abia State Commandant of NSCDC- Mr. Ayinla Taiye Olowo fsfs said
” the suspect was arrested through an actionable intelligence”

Narrating further, Commandant Ayinla said his Men have been on the trail of the suspect since Sunday,10th October, 2021 when the Command received a tip off that the suspect- Ifeanyi Good luck Joseph (M) (21yrs) had allegedly kidnapped with intent to sell a four (4) year old male child who was only able to introduce his name as ” Wisdom”

Speaking further, Commandant Ayinla said ” I quickly mobilized my Men and worked closely with the informant who passed a contact number of one of my Men who posed as a willing buyer. The suspect insisted on selling the Child at the cost of five hundred thousand Naira only ( N500,000.00) but we tactically demanded a full information on the Child’s HIV status, Genotype, blood group and other medical details. In his desperation to fulfill all the conditions and have his money, he came out of his hiding with the Child to an agreed hospital”

” However, on getting to the hospital and sensing danger he took to his heels but we rescued the innocent Child, handed him over to his parents- Mr./Mrs Asikus Samma- a serving Police Inspector from Taraba State but resident at Laguru, Ubakala and thereafter tracked him down to his family Compound at Nsukwe, Ubakala, in Umuahia South LGA of Abia State using his mobile phone which fell off from him while trying to escape”
According to the press statement made available by the command public relations officer,SC Ndukwe Agu Egwu ,”the suspect who confessed commiting the crime however revealed that he lures his victims with biscuits, Sweet, and promises of buying enticing children items to them. In the case of little Wisdom- his latest victim, the suspect said he abducted him through his grandfather’s motorcycle with the promise to buy biscuits and sweet for the little boy”
Commandant Ayinla while commending his Men for their gallantry and professionalism which led to the successful arrest of the suspect also appreciated the Commandant General- Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi mni for his administration’s Staff friendly policies which have enhanced personnel capacity and productivity.
He equally seized the opportunity to advise parents to closely monitor the activities of their wards adding that it was onus on them and all caregivers to ensure the safety of children under their care.
According to him ” the practice of living underage children to their fate while parents pursue after their daily business was no longer fashionable in an era where kidnapping for ransom was on the increase especially in the Ember Months. He assured that the suspect will be handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons ( NAPTIP) Abia State Command for continuation of Investigations and prosecution.
Finally, he called on the general public to always volunteer useful information to Security Agencies in the State for enhanced security service delivery to the people adding that security is everyone’s business, adding that ,”we remain fully committed to a crime free society”
