The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking In Persons, NAPTIP, has rescued six children and a pregnant woman from child traffickers in Eziachi Community in Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State.
The Imo State Commander of NAPTIP, Ernest Ogbu has since handed over the rescued trafficked persons to the state Commissioner for Women Affairs and
Vulnerable Groups, Lady Nkechinyere Ugwu.
The handover ceremony took place at the Ministry’s Secretariat in Owerri, the state capital.
Speaking while receiving the victims, Lady Ugwu reiterated the state government’s commitment to enforce laws on human trafficking.
A statement signed by Nneka Nwogu, Information Officer of Ministry of Women Affairs and Vulnerable Groups, disclosed that the investigations and subsequent arrests of the syndicate, was a joint effort of NAPTIP and the 34 Field Artillery Brigade, FAB, Obinze.
The statement reads inter alia; “The children were rescued from the Human Trafficking Network which specialized in the abduction and selling of children of Imo State origin to an auxiliary nurse based in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, one Mrs Favour Amaegbulam.
“The principal suspect, Joy Duru, was apprehended with four children. A fifth child belonging to an accomplice implicated in the crime was rescued, as investigations showed that the accomplice is not her birth mother.
“One of the sold child has been recovered and handed over to her biological parents and efforts are being made to recover another child which the suspect confessed to have sold to a family in Port-harcourt. Also rescued is a pregnant girl and an infant found in the orphanage home belonging to the syndicate that buys the children” .
The commissioner expressed gratitude to Mr. Ogbu for a job well done and assured that the Ministry will follow the matter to its logical conclusion.
She added that the First Lady and wife of the state governor, Barr Chioma Uzodimma had been briefed on the matter and has directed that all measures are taken to ensure the culprits face the wrath of the law.
The victims have been placed in a secure environment and the three accomplices detained
