The Police on Friday said in Owerri, the Imo State capital, that it has arrested a human trafficker and four baby factory suspects.
The Commissioner of Police in Imo State, Austin Evbakharbokun, told newsmen that the suspects were nabbed sequel to a report.
Evbakharbokun gave the names of the suspects as Emmanuel Eke, the alleged human trafficker from Mbutu in Isaiala Ngwa South local government area of Abia State, and 23-year-old Nkasiobi Uchenna from Nkwuegwu Umuahia, also in Abia State.
Other suspects included Ela David, 24, from Isoko in Delta State, deaf and dumb Blessing Nwabekee, and 25-year-old Oluchi Victor, also from Isiala Ngwa in Abia State.
Evbakharbokun said the suspects were arrested following a report that Ibuchi Okafor, 20, from Ihioma in Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State, whose pregnancy was due for delivery, absconded from her home and later returned without a baby.
Her parents, who queried the whereabouts of the baby, grew suspicious and reported the matter to the police.
Upon interrogation, the police said Okafor disclosed that she was delivered of a baby boy at the home of Emmanuel Eke of Mbutu in Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area of Abia State.
She said the man later sold the baby to an unknown buyer.
According to Evbakharbokun, his men stormed Eke’s place and discovered other ladies believed to be producing babies for him for sale and arrested them.
In the course of investigation, he said, Eke confessed to have sold the baby delivered by Okafor at the cost of N500,000.
He said investigation was still in progress, adding that the suspects would be charged to court for trafficking of children.
When interviewed, Eke told newsmen that the child trafficking business, with the name Divine Mercy Maternity in Isiala Ngwa, was being run by his late wife.
Okafor also confessed that she was led to Eke’s place through one of the ladies that was arrested.
She said she was given N50,000 from the proceed of the sale of the baby boy.
The commissioner, however, frowned at the development, saying the girls now get pregnant and go to other states to deliver with ulterior motive.
He warned parents and guardians to always train their children well and ensure they know and monitor their movements to avoid such incidents.
Evbakharbokun spoke through the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Andrew Enwerem.
NAN.
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