One Elisha Effiong has been arrested in Akwa Ibom for allegedly conspiring with his wife to sell their two daughters aged 6 and 4 respectively for the sum of N700,000.
He was arrested by the operatives of the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Akwa Ibom state command.
Effiong, who lives in Cameroon with his wife was arrested in Uyo on November 15, 2021, through an intelligence while trying to sell their two daughters, identified as Abasifreke Edet and Rachael Edet.
According to a statement made available to newsmen Wednesday by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Umana Ukeme, the suspect said that his decision to want to sell his children was borne out of extreme hardship.
Ukeme stated that the suspect confided with a private security guard of his plans while the guard, in turn, notified the commandant of the corps Abidemi Majekodunmi who immediately ordered the arrest of the culprit.
READ ALSO: Ondo: Gunmen Abduct Principal, Vice, Three Teachers
“The suspect, Elisha Edet Effiong,’was apprehended with his two children identified as Abasifreke Edet,6, and Rachel Edet 4, while attempting to sell them for N700,000 in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
“Effiong, 40 years was apprehended at FulCare Hospital along Ekpanya Street, where he notified the Security guard of his intention to sell his two children to pay off his debt and meet other financial challenges.
“The security notified the NSCDC and immediately, Commandant Abidemi Majekodunmi detailed personnel of the Anti-human trafficking unit of the corps who swung into action and apprehended the suspect alongside with his two daughters: Abasifreke Edet 6 years old and Rachael Edet 4 years old”the statement reads in part.
Ukeme said preliminary investigations have been concluded while that the case would be transferred to NAPTIP zonal office, Uyo for prosecution.
Commending the private security guard for the prompt release of intelligence that aided the arrest of the suspect, the commandant, however, condemned the heinous act, describing it as a crime against humanity.
He urged Akwa Ibom people to always avail personnel of the corps with timely and actionable intelligence that could lead to arrest and tracking of criminal elements in the state.
Disclaimer
Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vantage News Nigeria or any employee thereof.
