LASG REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO COMBAT CHILD TRAFFICKING

 Yomi Durojaye 

The Lagos State Government has once again emphasised its firm stance against any form of child trafficking and, in particular, the buying and selling of children within the State.

LASG REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO COMBAT CHILD TRAFFICKING

Honourable Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mr. Mobolaji Abubakre Ogunlende, made this declaration at a press briefing aimed at sensitising the public on the prohibition of child trafficking. The event also saw the handover of several children, rescued by the Nigeria Police Force, to the Ministry. The briefing was held on Friday at the Zone II Police Command Headquarters in Onikan, Lagos.

Mr. Ogunlende praised the Police for rescuing five children - Marvelous Obi (M, One-Year-Old), Promise Ifekwuna (M, Three-Year-Old), Somtochukwu Onyemaechi (M, One-Year-Old), Chibuzornma Onyemaechi (F, Three-Year-Old), and Praise Chukwu Ibezim (M, Six-Year-Old) - from a notorious child trafficking syndicate led by Sunday Okputu.

He stated, "Today's gathering is a celebration of the positive results of collaboration. There is power in working together. This event also sends a strong message to those involved in this despicable trade: the buying and selling of children in Lagos State is illegal. They must cease this activity immediately. It will not be tolerated under any circumstances. The government of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu is dedicated to safeguarding the rights of every child in Lagos. Children deserve to grow in a safe and nurturing environment".

In his remarks, DCP Ajao S. Adewale acknowledged that the achievement was a result of the strong collaboration between the Police, local communities, and various agencies. He noted that the effort aligns with the community and intelligence policing mandate given to the Zone II Police Command by Assistant Inspector General of Police, Mr. Fayoade M. Adegoke.

DCP Adewale explained further that the rescue operation, led by CSP Ngozi Braide, was based on intelligence received by the Command on January 8, 2025. 

"Intelligence revealed that this syndicate specialised in the buying and selling of newborn babies, toddlers, and children of various ages. The syndicate was led by Sunday Okputu, who supplied the children, while Ibezim Chioma (F) acted as a middle person and caregiver, and Chinasa Echelibe (F) was responsible for caring for the children before they were passed on to their prospective buyers", he added.

Pharm (Mrs.) Toyin Oke-Osanyintolu, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, highlighted the need for proper care for every child in the State. She emphasised that adoption and guardianship options are available to ensure the welfare of all children.

Mrs. Oke-Osanyintolu further stated that the rescued children would be taken into government-run homes after undergoing necessary medical evaluations to aid in their recovery and rehabilitation.

I sold my baby because I couldn’t train him – Father

A 23-year-old man, Kinsley Eze, has said that he sold his five months old baby boy for N250,000 due to lack of money to raise and train him.
Eze made the confession while in the custody of the police in Umuahia, the Abia State capital.

He said he had agreed with his girlfriend to sell the baby before luck ran out on them.

Eze said, I am a mechanic. I was arrested for child trafficking. The baby is mine; my fiancee gave birth to him. We decided to sell the baby because I wasn’t making enough money to take care of him and the mother.

The police in the state also arrested another child trafficking suspect, Chinkata Chikezie, who reportedly sold his five-year-old son for an undisclosed amount.

According to a police source, the wife of the suspect, one Glory, had reported to the police at the Isiala Ngwa Local Government Area of the state that she woke up on October 16, 2017, and discovered that her baby was missing and the door to their room was open.
The source added that the complainant had raised the alarm and attracted the attention of her neighbours who searched for the missing boy.

He noted that when the villagers sighted her husband (Chikezie) returning home that morning, they handed him over to the police for questioning.
The source said, During interrogation, Chikezie confessed that he sold his son in connivance with one Kelechi John and Chikezie Ubabuike. Police operatives attached to the division swung into action, arrested the other suspects, and recovered the child.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Anthony Ogbizi, confirmed the arrest of the suspects.

He said they would be charged to court as soon as the command concluded investigation into the cases.

He said, Child trafficking is a serious crime against children, which is forbidden by our laws. As law enforcement agents, our duty is to investigate any case reported to us and unmask those behind the crime.

Source: The Sun News