Crime
Benue Police Burst Child Trafficking Syndicate Rescues Stolen Child
They were paid N150,000 for each pregnancy that was delivered.
The Benue State Police Command has arrested some members of a syndicate of suspected child traffickers operating around the Internally Displaced Persons camp at Northbank and other areas of Makurdi.
Those arrested include the kingpin’s wife, Stephen Terungwa, Sughter Akegh and Atom Gideon.
Spokesperson of the command, SP Anene Catherine, who disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, said the arrest was carried out after intensified surveillance by the police following information about the syndicate
According to the image maker, the operation also led to the rescued of a child that was earlier reported missing by her parents, from the hide out of the syndicate.
She explained that the gang whose operational base was around the IDPs camp in the North Bank area of Makurdi town was bursted by the Command after the receipt of credible intelligence and intense surveillance.
“Following information about a syndicate of Child Traffickers operating around Internally Displaced Persons camp at North Bank and other parts of Makurdi. Surveillance was intensified in these areas and the following persons were arrested in connection with the offence; Member Friday, the Kingpin’s wife and accomplice, Stephen Terungwa, Sughter Akegh and Atom Gideon. The kingpin, one Friday escaped to an unknown destination.
“During the interview session, the suspects confessed to have recruited pregnant girls who gave birth to babies that were handed over to one Friday, the kingpin who has been on the run. They were paid N150,000 for each pregnancy that was delivered.
“One child that was earlier reported missing by his parents at Daudu police Division was also rescued from the house of the said kingpin.”
The Command appealed to parents to ensure that there children and wards were in safe places at all times especially during the holidays.