Abia man, 64, in NSCDC net over alleged child trafficking

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Abia State Command, has arrested a 64-year-old man, Mr. Nnanna Michael, a native of Obinkita Arochukwu, in connection with the operation of illegal baby factories and child trafficking in the Aba area of the state.

During the operation which took place on Saturday at Abanafo Street, Ariaria, two women, identified as Miss Doris Nelson (23 years) from Gombe State and Miss Ugochukwu Winner (21 years) from Isinweke, lhitte Uboma in Imo State, were rescued from Michael’s residence following credible intelligence provided to the command.

Investigation revealed that Miss Nelson, who gave birth on Monday, September 9, 2024, sold her baby the following day to yet-to-be-identified buyers, while Miss Winner is currently seven months pregnant and was being held under similar circumstances.

According to the state Commandant, Usman Ishaq Alfadarai, while briefing and parading the suspect before newsmen, “In his confessional statement, Michael, a father of four and a former worker at a motherless home, admitted to harbouring pregnant women, taking care of them until delivery, and then selling their babies. Michael revealed that Doris Nelson was introduced to him by a contact from Abuja named Miracle, who brought her to his residence in Aba. After giving birth to a baby girl, Michael sold the baby for N1.1 million, promising Doris N5O0,000 of which she had already received N100,000.

“Further investigations revealed that Miss Winner was introduced to Michael by Evangelist First Samuel, who resides in Aba but is now at large. The agreement was for Michael to purchase the baby after delivery and sell it to his potential buyers.

“Preliminary investigations further reveal that Michael has been in this illicit business for a long time, where he has been leveraging his contacts from his previous work experience at a motherless home to find both buyers and sellers. Michael admitted to selling one baby last year and two babies this year before his arrest.”

Upon the conclusion of our investigation,  Al-Fadarai said the case would be transferred to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons which is statutorily empowered to prosecute the offences adding that the court would determine further course of action. According to him. Michael is living in a rented apartment but the landlord claimed ignorant of what he was doing and even cooperated with the agency in the exercise.

“On this note, we would like to make it very clear that the NSCDC Abia State Command is committed to uncovering all individuals involved in this syndicated operation and we will continue to pursue Michael’s accomplices as we remain resolute in bringing all the perpetrators of these heinous crimes to justice and ensuring we put an end to such practices”, he said.

He called on parents to take responsibility for the proper upbringing of their children, as this case showcased the failure of some families in safeguarding their children from such criminal elements.

“We equally urge members of the general public to be vigilant and provide us with credible intelligence of any suspicious activities within their surroundings”, he noted.