In a heartwarming turn of events, the Igbogene community in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State erupted in jubilation as the police successfully recovered two children who had been stolen by suspected child traffickers and sold for a shocking sum of N1.6 million.
The suspects, identified as Chioma Obi and Sunday Aniele, had posed as tenants and cunningly abducted the innocent children, Success Kemebigha, aged 4, and Prince Kemebigha, aged 2, just two weeks after moving into the compound on June 19, 2023. The appalling incident came to light when operatives from the Gender Unit, State Criminal Investigation Department of the Bayelsa State Police Command, uncovered the child trafficking syndicate and managed to rescue the abducted children in Enugu and Abia States.
According to SP Asinim Butswat, the spokesperson for the Bayelsa State Police Command, the apprehended suspects, Sunday Aniele and Chioma Obi, were arrested in Ughelli, Delta State, while their accomplices, Kingsley Chimobi and Harriet Chukwu, were apprehended in Onitsha, Anambra State. During questioning, the suspects confessed to having received a staggering sum of one million six hundred thousand Naira in exchange for the two innocent children.
In the wake of this distressing incident, the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Women, Children Affairs, Empowerment, and Social Development, Mrs. Faith Opene, issued a poignant call for parents to exercise utmost vigilance when it comes to their children’s safety.
“I call on Parents to be Vigilant with their children, don’t allow your children to go out alone with your neighbours, you don’t know who is a child trafficker. Landlords should also do due diligence before giving out their houses for rent,” she said.
Mrs. Faith Opene expressed her gratitude towards the Nigerian Police for their swift response and effective intervention in rescuing the abducted children. As she handed over two of the rescued children, Ms. Rosemary Adi and Ms. Faith Seiya, to their relieved parents, hope was restored in the hearts of the community, and a renewed commitment to safeguarding the well-being of every child echoed throughout the region.
