Anambra State Government through the Ministry of Women and Social Welfare has arrested a couple and one other for suspected human trafficking in Ifitedunu, Dunukofia Local Government Area of the state.
The
feat was achieved when the community Chairman, Mr Arinzechukwu Azodo, notified
the Women Affairs Commissioner, Hon. Ify Obinabo.
The
media aide to the Women Affairs Commissioner, Chidinma Ikeanyionwu, who
disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, June 18, 2024, said the couple,
Temple and Ndubuisi Nwankwo were arrested alongside one Ebere while attempting
to sell their baby daughter for N1m.
The
couple is suspected to have sold their other two other children who they claimed
have died.
“According
to Mr. Azodo, he was alerted by the commander of his team over a report of
suspected trafficking taking place in the community which he quickly informed
the commissioner who told him to go ahead and apprehend the persons involved,”
the statement read.
"Azodo
explained that after the arrest, they discovered that the said suspects were
about sealing their deal to the tune of one million naira.
"On
her part, one of the suspects who gave her name as Ebere from Ukpo in same
local government area of the state, revealed that it was another of the suspect
by name Temple Nwankwo, her very good friend that approached her one day
informing her that she has twin baby for sale although she has already sold one
of the twins.
"Ebere
said she accepted to partner with her and went further to link her up to a
prospective buyer who needed a male child urgently.
"Ebere
in her confession said that after their negotiation, they agreed to meet at Oye
Agu to further seal the transaction but instead Temple requested an instant
payment of one million naira in her account which the buyer objected to because
he hadn't seen the baby in question.
"This
brought disagreement among them before Temple changed her mind and left them.
"On
the alleged seller's part, Temple Nwankwo from Enugu state but resident at
Ifitedunu, denied ever having to be in any type of business with Ebere but
explained that she only reconnected with her when she was four months pregnant.
"Temple
in her defense said it was Ebere who actually asked for her help in getting a
male child because she's not been able to have a child of her own.
"Temple
claimed that after Ebere made the request, she warned her to never involve her
in such and that since that day, Ebere has been coming to her house in her
absence meeting her daughter even after her several warnings to her.
"Some
members of the community alleged that Temple is into the trafficking business
with her husband, Ndubuisi Nwankwo, as an accomplice because they have not seen
some of her children for a very long time
"When
the couple were asked the whereabouts of the two kids, they claimed that they
were dead.
"However,
when they were asked where the children were buried, they stated no one had
ever been around to witness the burial of the two kids.
"It
was at this point that Hon Obinabo, who was visibly sad over the incident,
handed them over to the police for investigation and prosecution.
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