Akwa Ibom couple arrested for conspiring to sell two daughters for N700,000

Operatives of the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Akwa Ibom State, have arrested a man, Elisha Edet, for allegedly conniving with his wife to sell their two daughters.

Elisha, who lives in Cameroon with his wife, was arrested in Uyo on November 15, 2021, while trying to sell the children, identified as Abasifreke and Rachael.

In a statement on Wednesday by the state Police Public Relations Officer, Umana Ukeme, the suspect was quoted to have based his decision to sell the children on hardship.

According to the statement, the suspect confided in a security guard of his plan.

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However, the guard notified the NSCDC commandant, Mr Abidemi Majekodunmi, who ordered the arrest of the culprit.

Ukeme said, “The suspect, Elisha Effiong Edet, was apprehended with his two children identified as Abasifreke Edet, 6, and Rachel Edet, 4, while attempting to sell them for N700,000 in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

“Elisha, 40, was apprehended at FulCare Hospital along Ekpanya Street, where he notified the security guard of his intention to sell his two children to pay off his debt and meet other financial challenges.

“The security guard notified the NSCDC and immediately, Commandant Abidemi Majekodunmi detailed personnel of the anti-human trafficking unit of the corps, who swung into action and apprehended the suspect alongside his two daughters.”

The NSCDC spokesman said preliminary investigations had been concluded, adding that the case would be transferred to the National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, Uyo, for prosecution.

The commandant was said to have commended the security guard for the prompt release of the information that led to the arrest of the suspect.

Punch