Operatives of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and Rivers State Ministry of Health have sealed an illegal maternity facility in Port Harcourt used by a child-trafficking syndicate for selling three children for N13.5million.
The agency explained that the operation, which led to the arrest of three persons, followed intelligence on a criminal network allegedly involved in the procurement, sale, and unlawful transfer of children.
Those arrested are the owner of the facility, the facilitator in the alleged baby sale, and one other member of staff of the maternity.
The maternity is regarded as one of the high-profile health centres in Elelenwo, Port Harcourt, the state capital.
In a statement, the Head of Press and Public Relations Unit at NAPTIP, Vincent Adekoye, said preliminary investigation indicates that a Liberian who resides in Belgium arrived in Nigeria with no evidence of pregnancy and allegedly took custody of three children in one month.
NAPTIP stated that intelligence available to it indicates that about N13.5 million was exchanged in connection with the transfer of the three children and other members of staff of the maternity.
On the status of the investigation, the statement reads: ‘Acting on intelligence, NAPTIP operatives in Abuja and Rivers State, and officials of the Rivers State Ministry of Health carried out a coordinated operation at the suspected facility, sealing the premises to preserve the scene and safeguard potential evidence pending the outcome of investigations.
‘Investigators are now conducting forensic and documentary inquiries to establish the identities, whereabouts and welfare status of the children, determine their biological and legal parentage, identify all persons involved in their procurement and transfer; and trace the financial transactions and other circumstances surrounding their alleged procurement.’
NAPTIP added that it is also examining the possible role of medical personnel and other individuals who may have facilitated the suspected criminal enterprise.
The Director-General of NAPTIP, Binta Bello, expressed worry over the fraudulent activities of operators of some maternity and health centres across the country, especially their suspected involvement in illegal adoption, child sale and trafficking.
She said: ‘I am particularly disturbed that foreign nationals now come to Nigeria to patronise these suspected criminal elements and procure children like a common object of trade across the border. This is sad and totally unacceptable.”
‘We have spread our dragnet to fish out all those involved in this case, and they shall be made to face the full wrath of the law.
‘I wish to reaffirm that the matter remains under active investigation and that all persons found connected to it will be subjected to due process under the law. The Agency will ensure that anyone found culpable is brought to justice, while the safety and welfare of the affected children remain its foremost priority’.
The DG urged the public to remain vigilant and report suspected cases of child trafficking, illegal adoption, baby-selling or other forms of exploitation to NAPTIP through its nearest zonal/state command.