Human trafficking prevalent in Imo, says army general

Sani Suleiman, brigade commander of the 34 Artillery Brigade, Obinze, says there is an endemic human trafficking situation in Imo state.

He said this on Monday while parading suspected human traffickers at the brigade’s headquarters.

Channels quoted him as saying troops of the brigade rescued a 23-year-old pregnant woman from the custody of a suspected human trafficker.

The woman, who was nine months pregnant, was said to have been detained with the intention of selling her child.

The suspected human trafficker, identified as Joy Duru, is said to specialise in stealing children from Imo and selling them in Rivers state.

Suleiman said the suspect poses as an orphanage home operator to conduct her illicit business.

The brigadier-general said the troops found paperwork that was allegedly obtained from young girls who got pregnant with the intention of selling their babies.

Suleiman said the suspects were arrested after several months of intelligence gathering.

He said the human trafficking network specialises in selling children of Imo origin to an auxiliary nurse identified as Favour Amaegbulam, who is based in Port Harcourt, Rivers state capital.

“There is endemic human trafficking in this state and it is to be given the right attention,” the general said.

“We have had these issues here and there, and have handed a couple of those to the police. This particular racket needs to be broken and investigation needs to go further than this.”

The commander said efforts are ongoing to trace a suspected buyer of a two-week-old baby in Rivers.