The Nigeria Police Force has confirmed that it has uncovered two major notorious human trafficking syndicates and arrested 11 suspects operating within the country, reports thegazellenews.com.
The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, who confirmed the development in a statement, said acting on credible intelligence, operatives of the Zone-13 Police Command executed a precision-led sting operation, targeting a deeply rooted child trafficking and baby factory network.
According to Adejobi, the operation resulted in the rescue of multiple victims including children and pregnant women.
The NPF image-maker also added that the operation led to the arrest of eight suspects from various locations including Uzoamaka Ani (27), Joy Madu (52) and Victoria Onodu Akasike (56).
Adejobi stated that during interrogation, the suspects confessed to active involvement in child theft, abduction, illegal child adoption schemes and the operation of unlicensed medical facilities functioning as baby factories.
According to him, their criminal activities were strategically spread across Enugu and Anambra states, targeting vulnerable women and children for exploitation and sale.
The NPF publicist added that victims rescued include a seven-month-old infant, a four-year-old child, and two heavily pregnant women, all held under captivity in a remote village.
“Both pregnant women, identified as indigenes of Ebonyi State, were reportedly lured and held for the purpose of forced births and subsequent sale of their newborns. The rescue was swift and executed without harm to the victims, who are now in safe custody and receiving necessary care,” Adejobi said in the statement.
Meanwhile, efforts have intensified to apprehend other members of the syndicate who managed to escape during the sting operation.
