November 24, (THEWILL) – A forty year old man identified as Elisha Effiong has blamed his decision to connive with his wife, Mrs Effiong to sell their two daughters to extreme poverty and hardship.
He said the proceeds from the sales of his two children was to be used to settle his creditors who have been on his neck for some years now.
Effiong was arrested by the operatives of the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Akwa Ibom state command while trying to put finishing touches to his dastardly act.
According to a statement by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Umana Ukeme, Effiong, who lives in Cameroon with his wife was arrested in Uyo on November 15, 2021, through an intelligence while trying to sell the two girls identified as Abasifreke Edet age 6 and Rachael Edet. age 4.
The statement which was issued on Wednesday, quoted the suspect to have said that his decision to want to sell his children was borne out of extreme hardship.
According to the statement the suspect confided in a private security guard of his plans while the guard in turn notified the commandant of the corps Mr. Abidemi Majekodunmi who swung into action immediately and ordered the arrest of the culprit.
“The suspect, Elisha Edet Effiong, ‘M’was apprehended with his two children identified as Abasifreke Edet,6, and Rachel Edet 4, while attempting to sell them for M700,000 in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
“Effiong, 40 years was apprehended at FulCare Hospital along Ekpanya Street, where he notified the Security guard of his intention to sell his two children to pay off his debt and meet other financial challenges”
“The security notified the NSCDC and immediately, Commandant Abidemi Majekodunmi detailed personnel of the Anti-human trafficking unit of the corps who swung into action and apprehended the suspect alongside with his two daughters: Abasifreke Edet 6 years old and Rachael Edet 4 years old” the statement reads in part.
According to Ukeme preliminary investigations have been concluded while that the case would be transferred to NAPTIP zonal office, Uyo for prosecution
The commandant while commending the private security guard for the prompt release of intelligence that aided the arrest of the suspect, however condemned the heinous act, describing it as a crime against humanity.
He however called on the good people of Akwa Ibom State to always avail personnel of the corps with timely and actionable intelligence that could lead to arrest and tracking of criminal elements in the state.
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