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Two arrested over alleged child trafficking in Cross River

By; Zagazola Makama 

Two suspected child traffickers have been arrested by the Police in Oboho Ito community, Odukpani Local Government Area of Cross River, following a foiled attempt to allegedly sell a one-month-old baby.

Security sources told Zagazola Makama  that the suspects were apprehended on March 2 after youths of the community intercepted them based on a tip-off.

According to the source, the mother of the baby, Favour Effiong, reported that on March 1, one Happiness Etim Udoh, allegedly persuaded her to bring her one-month-old child under the pretext of taking her to receive financial assistance for the upkeep of the baby.

“On suspicion, the mother informed her landlord, and community youths laid ambush for the suspect,” the source said.

Udoh was subsequently arrested alongside an alleged accomplice, Ekpo Inyang, said to have no fixed address.

Police say preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects allegedly planned to snatch and sell the baby to a woman in Abuja.

The source further disclosed that during interrogation, the suspects allegedly confessed to previously selling a child for N200,000 to a buyer in Abuja.

It was also alleged that arrangements had been made to hand over the one-month-old baby to a relative of one of the suspects in Abuja, who was reportedly pretending to be pregnant.

The baby was safely recovered and handed back to the mother.

Police  said investigation into the matter had commenced, while efforts were ongoing to identify and apprehend other members of the suspected trafficking network.

They reiterated commitment to tackling child trafficking and protecting vulnerable children across the state.