The Anambra State Special Anti-Touting Squad Agency has arrested a suspected child trafficker, Sunday Nomen and rescued two stolen children.

 

 

 

The 42-year-old suspect from Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, was apprehended in Nkpor in the Idemili Local Government Area of Anambra State on Sunday.

 

 

 

While parading the suspect at the SASA headquarters in Onitsha on Monday, the spokesperson for the agency, Karen James, said the suspect belongs to a gang of inter-state child trafficking ring, specialising in trafficking and selling children from the ages of six months upwards to interested buyers.

 

 

 

James added that two children within the ages of three and eight years were rescued from the suspect after security operatives stormed the location.

 

 

 

According to her, the operation carried out by operatives of Onitsha branch of SASA, once again demonstrated its operational effectiveness in combating crime and protecting vulnerable residents across Anambra State.

 

 

 

“The suspect, identified as Mr Sunday Nomen from Abakaliki, was apprehended at Nkpor in connection with child trafficking, following intelligence-led efforts by SASA operatives,” she said.

 

 

 

“An intel posed as a buyer for one of the children in his custody and during negotiations, the suspect was arrested.

 

 

 

“During interrogation, he confessed to purchasing the children for N3.5 million.”

 

 

 

He further disclosed that he had brought the children to Onitsha to meet an accomplice, identified as Mrs Uju, who allegedly introduced him into the illicit trade.

 

 

 

“Preliminary findings revealed that the children, aged between three and eight, were temporarily lodged in a hotel in Nkpor pending when the suspect will locate his accomplices,” James added.

 

 

 

“Acting swiftly on credible intelligence, SASA operatives tracked and arrested the suspect, leading to the rescue of the victims.

 

 

 

“The suspect will be transfer d to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Awka, and will remain in custody as investigations continue to uncover other members of the syndicate.”