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| NAPTIP Spokeman, Mr Orakwue Arinze |
Abuja, Oct. 2. 2012 (NAN) The National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons and Other Related Matters (NAPTIP), has uncovered a syndicate that specialises in abduction and sale of babies in Abuja.
Addressing journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, the agency’s spokesman, Mr Orakwue Arinze gave the name of a man and a nurse who were described as masterminds.
``Investigations showed the man lures young mothers by promising them marriage and thereafter disposes them of their babies and sells them.
He uses the nurse's house as an operational base from where babies are harvested and distributed to the highest bargainers,”he said.
He said that the group had cells in Abuja, Enugu, Lagos and Minna.
Arinze said that recently, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) transferred a case of a 16 -year old orphan to NAPTIP for investigation.
He also explained that on September 17, the Niger State Police Command transferred a case of criminal conspiracy and human trafficking to the agency, involving four suspects, three victims and four children.
Arinze said that investigations revealed that one of the suspects was the male mastermind who had disposed another victim of her baby.
The victim, who spoke to newsmen confirmed the story, saying her grandmother was aware that the baby was going to be given out for `sale’.
``When I called my grandmother, she said I should give the man the baby and that they have sent some money to her,” she said.
However, the mastermind who claimed to be a former bus driver, denied the allegation..
The nurse, in her response, said: ``I sell the babies on sympathy,'' adding that the male mastermind had so far brought four babies to her for sale, for N400, 000 each.
Arinze urged parents to be more cautious and concerned, adding that the case had been handed over to the police for further investigation. (NAN)
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