NAPTIP nabs 80-year-old Innocent Josephine for child trafficking in Benue

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The Makurdi Zonal Command of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) successfully rescued five victims and apprehended eight suspects. Among the detained individuals were 80-year-old Innocent Josephine and 56-year-old Ude Rosaline, identified as key figures in the trafficking operation.

The other suspects include Samuel Takura (50), Williams Minde (35), Mrs. Celina Obiasogu (52), Virginia Okonkwo (50), Anthonia Onura (60), and Ede Sunday Ngozi (52).

Zonal Commander Mrs. Gloria Bai informed journalists on Saturday that efforts were underway to capture Mama Nnamdi, who remains at large. The rescue operation was initiated following a distress call from a mother searching for her twins. Investigations revealed that the twins were allegedly sold in December 2023.

Mrs. Bai explained that between January 17 and 22, 2024, NAPTIP operatives conducted surveillance and rescue operations across Makurdi. The syndicate targeted vulnerable homes, including IDP camps, posing as helpers for education sponsorship. Exploiting the trust of unsuspecting families, they acquired children and sold them for sums ranging from ₦350,000 to ₦900,000 per child, disguising transactions as adoptions.

The rescued victims have been reunited with their families, and legal proceedings against the suspects are underway. Mrs. Bai cautioned the public against individuals offering assistance with child education, emphasizing the prevalence of child trafficking under the guise of adoption. She urged those seeking to adopt to contact the state Ministry of Women’s Affairs for proper guidance and to avoid transactions with criminal elements.