By Idriss LAWAL
Police in Nigeria has apprehended a suspected child trafficker who trafficked three children for N3.6million Naira.
The suspect, Sunday Onome has confessed to the crime under investigation and singing like a bird.
He said: “My first victim is my friend’s son, whom I sold for N1.3M. And after collecting the money I began to plan how I would get more because i see it as a lucrative business.”Onome, an indigene of Ebonyi State, confessed while being interrogated by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Special Team on the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) over his alleged involvement in child trafficking.
He was arrested in Onitsha, Anambra State, alongside his girlfriend and son during an operation involving two children who were allegedly being transported for trafficking.
According to the suspect, he had worked as a private driver before losing his job, after which he was introduced to the trafficking syndicate.
He said he met his girlfriend through the network, and the pair subsequently carried out several assignments together.
Onome admitted that his first assignment involved the son of a close friend who trusted him completely.
“I sold my friend’s child for N1.3 million,” he confessed, adding that it was the largest amount of money he had received at once and the reason he continued in the illicit trade.
He further disclosed that he later handled another assignment involving two children and was paid N2.3 million, bringing his total earnings from the two operations to N3.6 million.
The suspect alleged that members of the syndicate communicated mainly via telephone and transferred payments into his account after each assignment, while avoiding direct physical contact.
He also admitted involving his son in the operation, claiming the boy assisted in moving children to agreed locations before they were handed over to other members of the syndicate.
Recounting the events that led to his arrest, Onome said he travelled to Onitsha with two children and checked into a hotel after those scheduled to receive them informed him they would be delayed.
He claimed that money was sent to cover accommodation and feeding while he awaited further instructions.
However, security operatives tracked the suspects to the hotel before the children could be handed over, leading to the arrest of Onome, his girlfriend and his son.
Police said investigations are ongoing to identify other members of the alleged trafficking ring and to verify the suspect’s claims.
