The Anambra State Police Command has apprehended a couple involved in trafficking a one-month-old baby, a disturbing incident discovered at the River Niger Bridgehead in Onitsha on December 17, 2023.
The Police Public Relations Officer for the state, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, released a statement on Tuesday, shedding light on the incident. While the identities of the arrested couple remain undisclosed, it was revealed that they were traveling in a luxurious bus affiliated with a well-known transport company.
The alerting moment occurred when a vigilant co-passenger noticed that the mother in the couple was unable to breastfeed the crying baby during the journey. Responding to their concern for the child’s welfare, the vigilant passenger promptly contacted the Anambra Police control room hotline in Awka, reporting the situation.
Law enforcement officers stationed at Bridgehead in Onitsha acted swiftly on the received information. They intercepted the identified luxury bus in the evening, leading to the identification and questioning of the couple with the baby.
During interrogation, the couple admitted to purchasing the child from its mother in Ajah, Lagos, for the sum of N30,000.
The Anambra State Commissioner of Police, CP Aderemi Adeoye, expressed gratitude to the citizen who reported the incident, acknowledging the individual’s public-spirited concern. The Commissioner also commended the vigilance and dedication of the police operatives involved in the interception.
In response to this distressing case, CP Aderemi Adeoye has directed that the couple be handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for further investigation and prosecution. The rescued baby has been entrusted to the care of the Ministry of Women Affairs, supported by the state government.
This incident highlights the ongoing challenges surrounding child trafficking, emphasizing the crucial role of public awareness and swift police intervention in protecting the rights and well-being of vulnerable individuals.