Two-Day-Old Baby Rescued as Akwa Ibom Police Bust Child Trafficking Syndicate of Mother and Grandmother

 

A suspected child trafficking operation has been disrupted by operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command, who arrested several individuals involved in what appears to be a deeply disturbing attempt to sell a two-day-old infant. The operation, uncovered during a routine patrol, has led to the apprehension of suspects spanning multiple states and networks.

The breakthrough came when police officers on a routine patrol along the Nsit Atai/Oron Road intercepted a suspicious Mazda vehicle with registration number YAB 454 AA. The car, driven by one Bethel Anyanwu, carried two female passengers and a newborn baby. Authorities found the passengers unable to provide coherent or credible details regarding the child’s identity or their relationship to him, raising immediate red flags.

Prompt investigation revealed that the newborn had been sold for ₦800,000 by the baby’s own mother and grandmother. The young mother, identified as 20-year-old Blessing Walter, and her 55-year-old mother, Grace Walter, confessed to giving up the infant in exchange for money. Their admission painted a grim picture of desperation and exploitation, suggesting a coordinated effort among multiple parties.

DSP Timfon John, the Police Public Relations Officer for Akwa Ibom State, confirmed the arrests in a statement released Monday. According to the statement, further interrogation of the suspects unearthed a broader web of trafficking connections stretching as far as Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Two of the suspects, Nasikpo Sonia Labere and Inemesit Okin Akpan, reportedly traveled from Port Harcourt under instructions from individuals named Waazor Godwin and Lilian Duru. Their mission was to retrieve the baby from a woman identified as Grace Inyang in Oron. These revelations indicated that the crime was not an isolated act but part of a larger child trafficking network with operatives across state borders.

Another individual, Alison Eduno, was also arrested for his role in connecting the buyer to the seller, effectively acting as a middleman in the transaction. His involvement further highlighted the layered nature of the illegal scheme.

Authorities have confirmed that all individuals implicated in the case are currently being held in police custody while investigations continue. The complexity of the operation suggests that there may be more suspects yet to be apprehended, as well as more victims previously trafficked through similar means.

The rescued infant, now safe from the immediate threat of trafficking, has been handed over to the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare in Uyo. The ministry is expected to provide the baby with the necessary care, medical attention, and protection during the course of the investigation. Officials have emphasized the importance of safeguarding the child’s welfare while legal processes unfold.

This case has triggered renewed public discourse around the issue of child trafficking in Nigeria, especially concerning vulnerable communities where economic hardship often drives individuals to desperate acts. Social welfare experts and rights groups are calling for improved social safety nets and more robust surveillance of trafficking rings that exploit poverty to fuel their illegal trade.

Police authorities have assured the public that thorough investigations are ongoing, with a commitment to ensuring that all individuals involved are brought to justice. The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has also called on the public to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activities related to child welfare or trafficking to law enforcement agencies.

The exposure of this network adds to a growing list of trafficking cases across Nigeria, reflecting a nationwide challenge that requires coordinated efforts between security agencies, community leaders, and social institutions. As the investigation continues, authorities hope the rescue of this infant will serve as a turning point in tackling the menace of child trafficking in the region.

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