…says 5-months-old baby sold for N660,000, others recovered

By Chioma Onuegbu, Uyo

Akwa Ibom state police command yesterday said it has arrested suspected child theft and trafficking syndicate including medical doctors.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Fredrick Nnudam in a statement made available to newsmen yesterday in Uyo said the suspects were arrested by operatives of the Anti-child theft and trafficking unit at different locations in Akwa Ibom and Cross River states capital following a tip-off.

Nnudam stated that seven suspects including a medical doctor and laboratory Scientists were arrested on May 8, 2020, in connection of the trafficking of a five-month-old baby, sold for six hundred and sixty naira.

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He listed the suspects to include, Dr. Victor Onongha (42yrs) of No.3, Goldie Lane, Calabar and a Medical Doctor at University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), and Hope Jonah Offor (42yrs), and female Laboratory Scientist, General Hospital, Calabar.

Others include Patience Livingstone, Nigeria Army of No. 146, Ebrutu Barracks, Calabar, Clement Edem Sunday of No. 67, Atakpa Street, Calabar, Ekaette Okon Akpan of No. 19, Gibson Street, Calabar as well as Abigail Asuquo Davis Grace Asuquo Davis both of Ada Akpan village, Itu L.G.A, Akwa Ibom State.

Nnudam added, “The suspects were arrested in Itu LGA of, Akwa Ibom State and Calabar, Cross River State following a tip-off that one Grace Asuquo Davis (23yrs), the mother of a 5-month-old baby conspired with her sister, one Abigail Asuquo Davis and sold the said child at the cost of two hundred and fifty thousand naira (N250, 000.00) to Dr. Victor Onongha.

“The transaction was perfected through two human trafficking agents, one Clement Edem ‘and Ekaette Okon Akpan. The said doctor was arrested and he confessed to the offence and led the Police to the arrest of one Hope Jonah (female) a lab scientist working at General Hospital, Calabar who bought the child from him.

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“On further interrogation, Hope Jonah confessed to the offence and also led the Police to the Nigerian Army Barracks, Ebrutu, Calabar where one Mrs Patience Livingstone was arrested and the baby was recovered.

“Patience Livingstone on her part admitted that her husband Livingstone Orji bought the child at the cost of six hundred and sixty thousand naira (N660, 000.00) from the lab scientist, Hope Jonah Offor”

He added that on February 6, 2020, the Anti-Child Trafficking Unit received information that one Ukeme Ability Henry of Owot Uta village in Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area lured one Emem Okon who was due for delivery to Oyigbo, in Rivers State and handed her over to a child trafficker popularly known as Dr. Oliver through an agent simply identified as David.

According to the PPRO, David took Emem Okon (the pregnant woman) to a certain woman who nursed and delivered her of a baby boy.

“After her delivery, David conveyed Emem Okon to where they met Imaobong Innocent who joined them in the car to a point where Emem Okon was dispossessed of her baby by the said Imaobong Innocent and the sum of four hundred thousand naira (N400, 000.00) was paid to David.

“On further interrogation, Imaobong Innocent implicated one Esther Akpan Dan of Usung Esop Obio, Ekit Itam 11 in the case. On February 7, 2020, Imaobong Innocent brought Emem Okon back to Akwa Ibom State where one Ukeme Ability and her boyfriend identified as Imo Udoudo was contacted and was instructed to take Emem Uwem to Nto Obio Ikang village in Obot Akara where Emem Okon was confined for a month and some days.

“Ukeme Ability later came back to where Emem Okon was still in confinement with two male children suspected to be stolen and thereafter carried them to an unknown place.

“All four suspects arrested so far have made useful statements leading to the recovery of a 4-year-old child from a secluded area in Aba, Abia State. The 4-year-old child has since been reunited with the family”, the PPRO stated.

Nnudam added that Police Operatives in Akwa Ibom and Cross River States on the strength of the complaint of a pregnant young woman identified Glory Archibong arrested another child trafficking syndicate namely Gloria Agbor, Utibe Akpan, Arit Nyong; Cyril Osunkwu and Michael Agbor.

He explained that Archibong raised the alarm that when she discovered that one Gloria Agbor a.k.a “Mma Nurse” whom she met at Ikom, Cross River State, and later sent her to her house in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State under the care of Utibe Akpan had the intention of selling her baby after delivery.

According to the PPRO, Utibe Akpan confessed to the crime and implicated a traditional birth attendant, one Arit Aduak Nyong ‘ who usually take delivery of pregnant women.

He stated, “Also the principal suspect, one Gloria Agbor confessed to the crime and linked the detectives to the arrest of one Cyril Osunkwu ‘m’ who is a partner in the illicit business and who normally convey babies for sale to buyers.

“She also implicated her husband, one Michael Agbor’s’ as a principal partner in the crime. Both Cyril Osunkwu ‘m’ and Michael Agbor ‘m’ admitted the allegation”

He said the suspects would be arraigned in court on completion of the investigation into the cases.

Vanguard