Police dismantle child trafficking syndicate, rescue 8-year-old in Nasarawa

Police dismantle child trafficking syndicate, rescue 8-year-old in Nasarawa

By: Zagazola Makama

The police in Nasarawa State have dismantled a suspected child trafficking syndicate and rescued an eight-year-old boy who was allegedly sold for N3 million.

Sources said that the breakthrough followed information received on Jan. 14 that a missing child, Jeremiah Bikwo, was in protective custody at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) of the Abia State Police Command.

The boy had reportedly told investigators that he was an indigene of Loko in Nasarawa Local Government Area (LGA) of Nasarawa State.

“Further investigations confirmed that the child hails from Ogobo Village in Loko. Detectives then extended their inquiries to Abia State, where it was discovered on Jan. 17 that the victim had been sold for N3 million,” the source said.

According to the source, six suspects were arrested in connection with the crime.

They include Chilaka Calista Nneka, 33; Chigbu Cynthia, 36; Michael Ibeh Chioma, 52; and Victoria Ositadinma, 53 – all from Abia State – as well as Alhassan Bama, 35, of Ogobo Village, Loko LGA, and Jacob Jonah, 38, of Olegefe Village, also in Loko LGA.

Zagazola gathered that all the suspects have confessed to their roles in the trafficking of the child.

“The suspects are currently in custody, while further investigations are ongoing to identify and arrest other members of the syndicate,” the source added.
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