By; RAYMOND TEDUNJAYE, Lagos
Two female suspects said to be members of a child stealing syndicate have been apprehended by police operatives in Enugu State.
Also, two children earlier kidnapped for trafficking by the suspects were also rescued by the operatives.
Identified as Miracle Orji, 24, and Blessing Ani, 34, our correspondent reliably gathered that the suspects were nabbed by operatives attached to SWAT Team of the Command.
It was gathered that one of the suspects, Orji stole and was escaping with one of the children before she was intercepted and arrested with the assistance of some residents at Ameke- Oduma Community in Annimi Council area of the state on 24th March, 2023.
Her confessional statement was said to have led to the arrest of Blessing Ani around Shoprite Mall Enugu, where she was waiting to receive and further traffic the child.
The Police Public Relations Officer of the Command DSP Daniel Ndukwe while confirming the report said all the suspects have convesed to the crime.
His words, ” Police Operatives serving in SWAT of Enugu State Command, acting on credible information, busted a child stealing and trafficking syndicate and arrested two (2) female suspects, one Miracle Orji 24 aged and Blessing Ani aged 34. Their arrest led to the rescue of two children: Ogechi Eneh (female) aged 4 and Destiny Okechukwu (male) aged 1.
“Preliminary investigation reveals that on 24/03/2023, Miracle Orji stole and was escaping with Ogechi Edeh, before she was intercepted and arrested with the assistance of citizens at Ameke-Oduma Community in Aninri Local Government Area. Her confessional statement led to the arrest of Blessing Ani around Shoprite Mall Enugu, where she was waiting to receive and further traffic the child.
“On her part, Blessing Ani confessed to have been involved in the act of child trafficking since 2017 and guided the Operatives to Abuja, where the male victim, Destiny Okechukwu, who had been sold with fake documents and renamed Chibuike, was rescued.
“Meanwhile, frantic investigative efforts are on course to arrest other members of the syndicate, while the suspects will be arraigned in court once investigation into the case is concluded”.
