The Gombe State Police Command reported the successful rescue of three infants and the apprehension of 16 individuals in connection with an alleged case of child trafficking and criminal conspiracy.
On Wednesday in Gombe, ASP Mahid Abubakar, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for the command, briefed journalists on behalf of Commissioner of Police Hayatu Usman.
Abubakar revealed that the case, involving alleged child trafficking and criminal conspiracy, was documented over the weekend based on intelligence received from the Barunde community in Gombe State.
He informed that three babies were rescued within the state, while two others were trafficked outside the state.
One of the trafficked infants is currently in Lagos, and the other has been traced to Anambra. Abubakar emphasized ongoing efforts to locate and repatriate the remaining two babies to the state.
Furthermore, he disclosed that during the investigation, it was uncovered that one of the babies was purportedly sold for N400,000.
He mentioned that the infant was sold to an in-state buyer, with the involvement of a social welfare worker in the same state.
The individuals in question were running what could be described as a “baby factory,” where victims were confined in a specific location, and their newborns were subsequently sold.
The police spokesperson noted that the command received intelligence regarding a parent who had sold her child to the suspected traffickers.
“This is a criminal conspiracy and child trafficking case where one Khadija Manzo and 15 others were arrested following an intelligence report received from the Barunde community over the weekend.
“Sometime last year, one Khadija Manzo and 15 others were involved in selling babies to people in need.
“On receiving the report, detectives attached to Lowcost Division carried out an investigation that led to the arrest of Manzo and other suspects,” he said.
Abubakar mentioned that the inquiry uncovered additional information indicating that Manzo had purportedly sold two infants to Ukamaka Ugwu on separate occasions.
He added that additional suspects were apprehended due to their participation in the criminal activity.
Explaining further, Abubakar said: “Investigation shows that the said Manzo reportedly sold a child for N400,000 to one Tina Raphael.
“And she gave N200,000 to one Haruna Abubakar, who works with Social Welfare, Gombe, under the guise of making a relevant certificate for the proper handing over of the child.
“Yahaya Suleiman received the N200,000 from Manzo to give to Haruna Abubakar, and he delivered the money.
“Ukamaka Ugwu bought two children, and one is currently in Lagos and the other in Anambra, but the police is working to ensure the safe return of the babies.”
Abubakar revealed that the investigation brought to light a hidden case of rape, where the victims’ families had concealed the incidents.
He explained that the rape survivors subsequently gave birth to babies, and Manzo colluded with them to settle their medical expenses, only to later sell the infants.
Abubakar stated that all individuals implicated in the case would soon face charges in court.