Police burst child trafficking syndicate in Benue, arrest four suspects and rescue stolen child

The Benue State Police Command has arrested some members of a syndicate of suspected child traffickers operating around the Internally Displaced Persons camp at Northbank and other areas of Makurdi.

Spokesperson of the command, SP Anene Catherine, who disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, said the arrest was carried out after intensified surveillance by the police following information about the syndicate.

Those arrested include the kingpin's wife, Stephen Terungwa, Sughter Akegh and Atom Gideon. 

The kingpin, identified as Friday, escaped to an unknown destination. 

"During the interview session, the suspects confessed to having recruited pregnant girls who gave birth and handed them over to one Friday, the kingpin who has been on the run. They were paid one hundred and fifty thousand Naira for each pregnancy that was delivered,” the statement said.

“One child that was earlier reported missing by his parents at Daudu police station was also rescued from the house of the said kingpin,” she added. 

The police advised the members of the public to ensure that their children are in safe places at all times especially now that they are on holiday.