The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking In Persons (NAPTIP) has recently arrested herbalist, Chigozie John Emmanuel a.k.a Akuchi, 38, for allegedly selling a new born baby for N650,000.
Mr Joshua Emerole, Head, Press and Public Relations NAPTIP, in a statement on Sunday annouced that the new born baby was sold to a woman whom Akuchi promised to make pregnant through spiritual means.
The suspect who hails from Enugu is said to own a herbal center ‘Akuchi Herbal Concept’ at New Nyanya, Abuja.
He was arrested after weeks of surveillance mounted by officers of the agency and those of the Department of State Services (DSS).
Mr Emerole said that the herbalist has been arrested for a similar crime by the Nigerian Police Force where he was caught with a baby in Abuja through Minna, Niger state.
The herbalist told his victim he had made her pregnant hence, no need for her to visit the hospital.
When it was time for her ‘delivery’, he directed her to Port-Harcourt where the baby was handed to her.
Akuchi was said to have collected the sum of N650,000 from the victim.
The spokesperson said the Director-General of NAPTIP, Dame Julie Okah-Donli, has commended the officers for their painstaking surveillance which led to the arrest.
She then warned the public, particularly women to stop patronizing herbalists all because they want to have babies because it is a crime that is punishable by law.
she said;
I am urging couples who wish to adopt a child to go through normal procedure acceptable by law.
AdvertisementI am reiterating the commitment of the agency to tackle child trafficking in Nigeria.
I am appealing for more information from the general public about any such act or ‘illegal maternity homes’ in their neighborhood where these unwholesome activities take place”
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