4-year-old sold for N55,000 recovered in Akwa Ibom

Thirty two suspects were paraded yesterday in Akwa Ibom State over involvement in criminal activities including rape, defilement, child and human trafficking.

A four-year-old child allegedly sold for N55,000 was also recovered and reunited with his family.

Addressing newsmen, Assistant Commissioner of Police Mike Okoro, said the child, Bright Mbaka, was stolen on Jan.17 by one Grace Uwem, a cousin to the victim’s mother.

He said the child was passed through a chain of suspects in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and finally to Mma Charity and Rehabilitation Home in Isiala Ngwu South Local Government Area of Abia State.

ACP Okoro said the child was allegedly handed over to the proprietor of the home, one Lillian Mma Achumba, who also doubles as the PDP Women Leader in the state, adding that seven suspects have all confessed to the crime.

Okoro, who decried what he called the high rate of human and child trafficking in the state, said the police have also arrested one Sabbath Christian Ezekiel, who sold a baby for N90,000.

Also in police custody, according to the police commissioner, is one Pastor Udo Obot Job, who defiled a 14-year-old girl. It was gathered that the girl’s father, one Bassey Stephen, was receiving treatment in the pastor’s house when the pastor lured the girl into a room and raped her.

He warned parents to always monitor the movement of their children and wards while calling on members of the public to volunteer information that could help the police to reduce crime in the state.