Crime

Anambra Authorities Arrest Couple and Accomplice for Human Trafficking

Published by admin on June 19th, 2024.

Anambra Authorities Arrest Couple and Accomplice for Human Trafficking

The Anambra Ministry of Women and Social Welfare has detained a couple and an accomplice on suspicion of human trafficking in Ifitedunu, Dunukofia Local Government Area.

The arrest followed a tip-off from community chairman Arinzechukwu Azodo, who informed Commissioner for Women Affairs Ify Obinabo about the situation. According to a statement from Chidinma Ikeanyionwu, the media aide to the Women Affairs Commissioner, the couple—identified as Temple and Ndubuisi Nwankwo—along with an individual named Ebere, were caught attempting to sell their infant daughter for N1 million. There are also suspicions that the couple may have previously sold two of their children, whom they claim are deceased.

Azodo reported that he was alerted by his team commander about the suspected trafficking and quickly informed the commissioner, who authorized the apprehension of the suspects. Azodo explained that the suspects were in the final stages of sealing a deal for N1 million when they were arrested.

One of the suspects, Ebere from Ukpo in the same local government area, revealed that Temple Nwankwo, a close friend, approached her with an offer to sell her twin babies, although one had already been sold. Ebere agreed to help and connected Temple with a prospective buyer in urgent need of a male child. They planned to meet at Oye Agu to finalize the transaction, but a disagreement arose when Temple demanded an upfront payment of N1 million, which the buyer refused without seeing the child first. This led to Temple abandoning the deal.

Temple Nwankwo, originally from Enugu state but residing in Ifitedunu, denied involvement in any trafficking business with Ebere. She claimed Ebere sought her help in finding a male child due to her inability to have children. Temple said she warned Ebere not to involve her in such matters and that Ebere continued visiting her house despite her warnings.

Community members alleged that Temple, along with her husband Ndubuisi, was involved in trafficking, as some of their children had not been seen for a long time. When questioned about the whereabouts of their two missing children, the couple claimed the children had died. However, they could not provide any witnesses to the burials.

Visibly upset by the incident, Commissioner Obinabo handed the suspects over to the police for further investigation and prosecution.