Suspected Child Trafficker Arrested in Anambra, Two Children Rescued
Operatives of the Anambra State Special Anti-Touting Squad Agency (SASA) have arrested a 42-year-old man, Sunday Nomen, for alleged involvement in child trafficking, leading to the rescue of two children in the state.
The suspect, who hails from Abakaliki in Ebonyi State, was apprehended on Sunday in Nkpor, Idemili Local Government Area, following an intelligence-led operation by the agency.
Speaking while parading the suspect at the SASA headquarters in Onitsha on Monday, the agency’s spokesperson, Karen James, disclosed that Nomen is believed to be part of an inter-state trafficking network engaged in the sale of children from as young as six months old to interested buyers.
According to her, the arrest was made after an undercover operative posed as a prospective buyer and engaged the suspect in negotiations, leading to his capture.
“During interrogation, the suspect confessed to purchasing the children for N3.5 million,” James said. “He further revealed that he had brought them to Onitsha to meet an accomplice identified as Mrs Uju, who allegedly introduced him into the trade.”
She added that the children, aged between three and eight years, were temporarily kept in a hotel in Nkpor pending contact with the accomplice.
James noted that the swift response of SASA operatives resulted in the successful rescue of the children and reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to combating crime and protecting vulnerable residents across the state.
The suspect is expected to be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Awka, where further investigations will be conducted to uncover other members of the syndicate.
