The Anambra State Special Anti-Touting Squad Agency (SASA) has arrested a 42-year-old man, Sunday Nomen, over alleged involvement in child trafficking.
The suspect, said to be from Abakaliki in Ebonyi State, was apprehended on Sunday in Nkpor, Idemili Local Government Area of Anambra State.
Parading the suspect at the agency’s headquarters in Onitsha on Monday, SASA spokesperson Karen James disclosed that Nomen is believed to be part of an inter-state child trafficking syndicate that specialises in selling children, including infants as young as six months, to buyers.
She revealed that two children, aged three and eight, were rescued during the operation carried out by operatives of the Onitsha branch of the agency.
According to her, the arrest followed an intelligence-led operation in which an undercover agent posed as a buyer.
“The suspect was apprehended during negotiations after our operative, who posed as a buyer, engaged him,” she said. “During interrogation, he confessed to purchasing the children for N3.5 million.”
James added that the suspect disclosed he had brought the children to Onitsha to meet an accomplice, identified as Mrs Uju, who allegedly introduced him into the illegal trade.
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Preliminary investigations showed that the children were being kept in a hotel in Nkpor while the suspect attempted to connect with his accomplice.
She noted that the successful operation highlights SASA’s continued efforts to tackle crime and protect vulnerable residents across the state.
The suspect is expected to be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Awka for further investigation, as authorities work to uncover other members of the trafficking network.
