The operatives of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have apprehended a man named Chinana Tali over alleged trafficking and attempting to sell his six-year-old son for N20 million in Abuja.
The NSCDC FCT Commandant, Mr Olusola Odumosu, told newsmen on Tuesday, that the suspect was arrested at the point of sale after he was lured to Abuja from Benue.
jerrymusa.com reports that the suspect, while being questioned at the NSCDC FCT Command, claimed that the victim, Ushafa Tali, was his sixth son.
Father of Six Attempts to Sell Son
He claimed that he was a father of six and that he decided to sell one of his children to help raise money to take care of his large family.
“It is because of hardship and no money, so I need to find a way to train my other children,” he said.
Odumosu explained that the arrest of the father, who was with his son, happened because the suspect was in search of the highest bidder for the sales of his son.
“We booked an appointment with the suspect at a garden, where we had one of our men pose as a buyer; while we had our men surround them.
Appointment Booked with the Suspect
“He came all the way from Benue to sell his supposed child to a buyer without caring about what might befall the child afterwards.
“To arrest his accomplice, we had to send transport fare to him after he was being deceived that the deal had been settled,” he said.
The commandant said that the father, who was at first offered N12 million refused and insisted that the boy, who he referred to as a “he-goat”, be bought at the sum N20 million.
“He also offered to sell his girl child, who he referred to as a “she-goat’’ for N15 million, if he didn’t get a buyer for the boy.
“We are not sure of the paternity yet but more will be uncovered during further investigation as he claimed that the mother, his wife, had no idea of the transaction,” he explained.
To Ensure Safety of Lives and Property
Odumosu further explained that the Corps was dedicated to ensure the protection of lives and property and would continue to take drastic measures in ensuring that crimes were nip in the bud.
He warned persons who might have such intentions as that of Tali and his accomplices to desist as child trafficking is a serious offense.
The commandant later handed over the father, son and one accomplice to representatives of National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for further investigation and possible prosecution.
A NAPTIP Senior Intelligence Assistant, Mrs Chinyere Oseafiama, who received them, everyone that the case would be thoroughly investigated for appropriately actions.
“We are happy for what the NSCDC has done and we are assuring that NAPTIP will do the needful and get back to the public with a positive report regarding the case,” Oseafiama said.