Police bursts child trafficking syndicate in Anambra

The Anambra State police command has arrested members of a child-snatching and trafficking syndicate whose operations span the South-East.

The suspects who were arrested on Sunday, Sept. 13th, 2020, following an intelligence report, include; Joy Lazarus, F, 40; Janet Gideon, F, 22; Gideon Bobby Godspower, M, 26; Wisdom Ndubuisi, M, 26; and Chukwudima C. Nwogu, M, 29.

According to the PPPRO, Anambra police command,SP Haruna Mohammed, eight children of different age brackets, were rescued including a 15-year-old pregnant girl who were stolen from Rivers Bayelsa, Imo, Abia and Anambra States both at gun points and through stealing after which they were sold to the kingpin in Abia State.

He said that the suspects confessed that they usually steal the children and bring to their sponsor, one Mrs Joy Lazarus in Abia State, who allegedly buys the children at the rate of between two hundred and four hundred thousand naira depending on their age and gender.

It was also discovered during investigation that Joy also lures under age girls into having pregnancy after which she will buy the children from them immediately after delivery.

Meanwhile, the children are now in protective care and would be handed over to the social welfare department for custodial care.