Police detain husband and wife for human trafficking in Anambra

The suspects were about to finalize a ₦1 million deal when they were caught.

A pair has been apprehended for their suspected participation in Human trafficking in Ifitedunu, Dunukofia Local Government Area of Anambra State.

In a statement regarding the arrest, the Ministry of Women and Social Welfare in Anambra State reported that they handed over the husband, wife, and accomplice to the police for investigation and prosecution.

Chidinma Ikeanyionwu, the media aide to the Women Affairs Commissioner, stated that the arrest was facilitated after the community chairman, Arinzechukwu Azodo, informed the Women Affairs Commissioner, Ify Obinabo, about a suspected trafficking incident in the community.

Azodo mentioned that he was alerted by his team commander about suspected trafficking in the community and promptly notified the commissioner, who then instructed him to apprehend the suspects.

Upon interrogation, it was discovered that the suspects were close to finalizing a deal valued at ₦1 million.

One of the suspects, Ebere, confessed that Temple Nwankwo approached her with a proposal to sell her twin baby.

Ebere admitted to agreeing to work with Temple to find a potential buyer. However, Temple denied any participation in the alleged transaction.

The statement read, “Ebere said she agreed to partner with her and went further to link her up to a prospective buyer who needed a male child urgently. Ebere in her confession said that after their negotiation, they agreed to meet at Oye Agu to further seal the transaction but instead, Temple requested an instant payment of one million naira in her account which the buyer objected to because he hadn’t seen the baby in question which brought disagreement among them before Temple changed her mind and left them.

“On the alleged seller’s part, Temple Nwankwo from Enugu State but resident at Ifitedunu, she denied ever having to be in any type of business with Ebere but explained that she only reconnected with her when she was four months pregnant. Temple in her defence said it was Ebere who actually asked for her help in getting a male child because she’s not been able to have a child of her own.

“Temple in her confession said, after Ebere made the request, she warned her to never involve her in such and that since that day, Ebere has been coming to her house in her absence meeting her daughter even after her several warnings to her.”

The inquiry revealed that Temple had been accused of human trafficking by multiple community members. They claimed that she and her husband were engaged in the illicit business. When asked about the location of her two children, Temple stated they were deceased, but her account sparked doubts.