Rita Odafe
Authorities in Lagos State have successfully disrupted a criminal operation known for abducting and selling newborns, with eight suspects now in custody.
The individuals arrested include Rita Ibezim, Sunday Ochim, Sunday Okputu, Faith Sunday, Chinaza Echelibe, Ngozi Ifekwuna, Helen Nwakuba, and Bada Adeniyi, all captured in various locations throughout Lagos.
Led by CSP Ngozi Braide, the police also secured the rescue of five children aged one to six who had been sold shortly after birth to families that falsely claimed them as their own.
The rescued children are Marvelous Obi (one year), Promise Ifekwuna (three years), Somtochukwu Onyemaechi (one year), Chibuzornma Onyemaechi (three years), and Praise Ibezim (six years old).
During the investigation, it was found that two of the children were located in Imo State under the care of a caregiver whose employer is one of the buyers residing abroad.
At a press conference over the weekend, AIG Adegoke Fayoade disclosed that the operation ensued following an intelligence tip concerning a child trafficking group received on January 8. This organization is said to be involved in the illegal trade of infants and children of various ages.
According to Fayoade, Rita Ibezim acted as a middleman, while Sunday Okputu sourced children through abduction from places like hospitals and churches. Chinaza Echelibe served as a caretaker within the ring, looking after these children before their transfer to buyers.
“So far, the team led by CSP Ngozi Braide has recovered five innocent children who had been trafficked. Their identities were manipulated by these traffickers who change their names post-sale,” he explained.
Regarding Marvelous Obi, AIG Fayoade shared that he was sold for a substantial amount to Ibezim when he was only a week old, before being resold to a couple living in Italy, who employed Echelibe as a caregiver.
Another child, Promise Ifekwuna, was claimed by Sunday Okputu through Ibezim Chioma to Mrs. Ngozi Ifekwuna in 2021, who reportedly paid N500,000 for the boy.
Somtochukwu Onyemaechi, just one year old, was sold by his mother, Faith Sunday, for N1,500,000, and recovered in Owerri, Imo State, where he was found with Nwakuba Helen, who claimed to be a nanny.
Moreover, six-year-old Praise Chukwudi Ibezim was bought by the prime suspect for N800,000 when he was a week old, highlighting the extent of the trafficking operations in the area.
Authorities reported that Sunday Okputu was known to proactively meet the demands of buyers, actively searching for children to fulfill their requests.
All rescued children have since been placed in the care of the Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development, which is committed to ensuring their welfare while also working to reunite them with their families or finding suitable adopters.
In her defense, Mrs. Ibezim denied any intention of creating a business out of these transactions, asserting that she only connected willing sellers with buyers seeking children. She explained her own experience, elaborating on how she came to acquire Praise from a pregnant woman in her village.
“I don’t have children of my own, and my husband has been unwell. I paid N800,000 to take the child,” she said, explaining her motivations further.
Mrs. Ifekwuna, also in the same line of work, expressed her desire for a male child, which led her to seek assistance from Ibezim, paying N500,000 for her son.
Additionally, Faith Sunday noted that her decision to sell her child was due to her inability to provide necessary care, given the child’s health issues and her financial struggles.
Subsequently, incidents arose in their village leading to accusations of trafficking against Sunday Ochim, forcing him to flee to avoid mob retaliation and seek police assistance.
