40-year-old Elisha Effiong has been arrested by the Akwa Ibom Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for attempting to sell his two daughters for N700, 000.
A spokesperson for the Command, Ukeme Umana, who disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday in Uyo, said the suspect was apprehended through a tip-off by a private guard in a hospital in Uyo while trying to sell the children, aged four and six.
Umana in the statement said, “The Akwa Ibom State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has apprehended a man who attempted to sell his two children for N700, 000 in Uyo, Akwa Ibom.
“The suspect, Mr Elisha Edet Effiong (M) 40 years was apprehended at Full Care Hospital on Ekpanya Street, where he notified the security guard of his intention to sell his two children for N700,000 to pay off his debt and meet other financial challenges.
“The private security notified the NSCDC and immediately the State Commandant, Abidemi Majekodunmi, detailed personnel of the anti-human trafficking unit of the corps to swing into action.
“The suspect was apprehended on November 15 at 13:15 hours alongside his two daughters: Abasifreke Edet 6 years old and Rachael Edet, 4 years old.
“The suspect who resides, according to him, in Adidikim in Cameroon confessed that the decision to sell the children was taken by him and his wife, who is still in Cameroon and was borne out of extreme hardship.”
(NAN)
