NAPTIP nabs four for allege

The Uyo Zonal Command of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons has arrested four suspects for alleged child trafficking .

The agency ’ s zonal Commander, Nduka Nwanwenne , on Tuesday , listed the suspects as Eno Ime, 35 ; Ita Udofia , 45 ; Juliana Effiong , 40 ; and Nneka Ejekwu .

According to him , Ime, who already had eight children , was having difficulties with her ninth pregnancy and taking care of her children , and so decided to seek help from her neighbour , Udofia.

It was gathered that Udofia introduced her to Effiong , a traditional birth attendant and a quasi- nurse based in Port - Harcourt , Rivers State , who allegedly administered some drugs on her before she was able to deliver.

Trouble started , however , when she discovered that her baby later died and the sum of N 250, 000 was found in her bag .

The statement said , “ One Mrs Eno Ime, 35 , a single mother of eight children , was apparently having difficulties taking care of her full blown ninth pregnancy and her children . The situation made her to be in need and very vulnerable .

At this point , her neighbour , Mr Ita Jacob Udofia, 45 , who pretended to assist her by introducing her to one Mrs Juliana Effiong , 40 , the prime suspect who is a traditional birth attendant and quasi nurse based in Port Harcourt .

“ The victim was sent some money through Mr Udofia to come over to Port Harcourt to meet the prime suspect.

“ In Port Harcourt , the victim was administered some drugs and was delivered of a baby. The victim was further induced with drugs that made her to lose consciousness after delivery . When, however , she came around , she was informed that her baby was dead .

“ She said she saw the sum of N 250, 000 in her handbag but handed over the money to one man to help her retrieve her baby . ”

The statement added , “ Meanwhile , the suspect had arranged to hand over the baby to one Mrs Nneka Ejekwu , who had cryptic pregnancy . Mrs Juliana Effiong was said to have been treating both Mr and Mrs Ejekwu with fertility drugs to enable her conceive a baby .

“ Having cornered the newborn baby , Mrs Ejekwu , who had earlier parted with the sum of N 1 , 300, 000, was invited by Juliana and induced into labour. By the time she came around , she was presented with a newborn baby of the victim as her baby . ”

Nwanwenne said the agency would not spare any effort to bust the entire syndicate