By Shadrach Okon
As a commitment to protecting all categories of people in Akwa Ibom State, men of Nigeria Police Force, Akwa Ibom State Command has arrested six suspected child traffickers comprising five females and a male, in three local government areas of Akwa Ibom State.
The Commissioner of Police, Baba Azare made this known in Uyo on Monday during a press briefing at Akwa Ibom Police Headquarters Ikot Akpanabia in Uyo.
Baba Azare while addressing the Press said that four of the suspects which were all females, were caught trafficking two children aged 11 years and 12 years, from Ikot Edibom Village in Nsit Ubium and Mkpatak Village in Essien Udim Local Government Areas accordingly.
The four suspects comprising Okwondu Nkpurunna, Vivian Chamdin, Okezie Amarachi and Christina Onyechi were arrested based on credible intelligence, the Police Commissioner had noted.
The Police Commissioner assured Akwa Ibom people that the Suspects would be charged to court in accordance with the expectations of the law.
The police boss said the victims were rescued unhurt in Abia state, adding that they would soon be reunited with their families.
The command also arrested two suspected child traffickers, one Rose Dennis and one Sunday Ekong both of Ikwen village in Obot Akara local government area of the state.
He said that the suspects were arrested Tuesday, January 14.
The suspects abducted two children aged four and two years, both pupils of St. Joseph Catholic School, Ikot Ofon in Ikono local government area of the state.
Baba Azare said the preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects planned to transport the victims to Umuahia, Abia State, to sell them.
“Thankfully, the victims were rescued and reunited with their families. The suspects will face prosecution,” he said.
The police boss used the opportunity to appealed to all vehicle owners to ensure compliance with this legal obligation to avoid inconveniences.
He reiterated command remains resolute in its commitment to fostering safety, enforcing the rule of law, and enhancing public trust in its operations across the state.
