The Anambra State government, through its Ministry of Women and Social Welfare, has handed over a couple and an accomplice to the police.
The suspects, identified as Temple and Ndubuisi Nwankwo, along with one Ebere, were apprehended in Ifitedunu, Dunukofia Local Government Area, while allegedly attempting to sell their baby girl for one million naira.
The couple's arrest followed suspicions that they had previously sold their other two children, whom they falsely claimed had died. The intervention was prompted by a detailed investigation conducted by the community chairman, Mr. Arinzechukwu Azodo, who then informed the Women Affairs Commissioner, Ify Obinabo.
Chidinma Ikeanyionwu, the media aide to the Women Affairs Commissioner, released a statement on Tuesday outlining the events leading to the arrests. According to Mr. Azodo, his team commander alerted him to a suspected human trafficking operation in the community. Acting swiftly, he informed the commissioner and proceeded with the apprehension of the suspects.
The statement detailed how the suspects were caught in the act, about to finalize their deal for one million naira. One of the suspects, Ebere from Ukpo in the same local government area, revealed that her friend, Temple Nwankwo, had approached her with the intent to sell twin babies, one of whom had already been sold.
Ebere confessed to partnering with Temple and connecting her with a prospective buyer urgently seeking a male child. Their negotiation led them to agree on a meeting at Oye Agu to finalize the transaction. However, Temple demanded an instant payment of one million naira into her account, which the buyer refused since he had not yet seen the baby.
This incident underscores the government's commitment to combating human trafficking and protecting vulnerable children. The swift action taken by the community chairman and the Ministry of Women and Social Welfare highlights the importance of vigilance and community involvement in addressing such grave issues.
The Anambra State government's efforts in this case serve as a stern warning to those involved in human trafficking and a call to action for continued community vigilance and cooperation with law enforcement agencies.
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