NSCDC APPREHENDS TWO SUSPECTED CHILD TRAFFICKERS IN ABIA

REPORTER: LAWRENCE NWOKEDI

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Abia State command has arrested two suspected child traffickers in Umuahia.

Parading the suspects at the corps headquarters in Umuahia, the Commandant of the corps in the state, Mr. Paul Igwebuike, said the suspects were arrested at a Hotel in Umuahia following a tip-off.

He noted that the suspects, Ikechukwu Uduma, a teacher in a private school, and Enyiazu Godswill, a bus driver, allegedly connived among themselves to traffick two school girls, Goodluck Nmesomachi and Blessing Omini, to Lagos State for jobs.

Mr. Igwebuike called on parents and caregivers to take appropriate measures to ensure the protection of the girl child from unsuspecting traffickers.

The NSCDC boss pointed out that upon conclusion of investigation, the suspects would be handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for further investigation and prosecution.

In an interview,one of the suspects, Ikechukwu Uduma, who claimed to be a mathematics teacher, said that the two female victims were his students he was assisting to secure jobs in Lagos State.

Also in an interview, one of the victims, Blessing Omini, said that she was promised a job in Lagos State by her teacher, Ikechukwu Uduma, after writing her West Africa School Certificate Examination (SSCE).

Items allegedly recovered from the suspects include a white Toyota car and traveling bags containing personal belongings of the rescued victims.

EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU