A couple has been arrested by operatives of the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Akwa Ibom State Command for allegedly planning to sell their two daughters for N700,000.

40-year-old Elisha Edet Effiong, and his wife were said to have concluded plans to sell the children- Abasifreke Edet and Rachael Ede, aged 6 and 4 respectively.

Effiong, who lives in Cameroon with his wife was arrested in Uyo on November 15, 2021, through an intelligence report.

A statement issued on Wednesday by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Umana Ukeme, read in part;

“The suspect, Elisha Edet Effiong, ‘M’ was apprehended with his two children identified as Abasifreke Edet, 6, and Rachel Edet, 4, while attempting to sell them for M700, 000 in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

“Effiong, 40 years was apprehended at FulCare Hospital along Ekpanya Street, where he notified the security guard of his intention to sell his two children to pay off his debt and meet other financial challenges.

“The security guard notified the NSCDC and immediately, Commandant Abidemi Majekodunmi detailed personnel of the anti-human trafficking unit of the corps who swung into action and apprehended the suspect alongside with his two daughters”.

Ukeme added that preliminary investigations have been concluded while the case would be transferred to NAPTIP zonal office, Uyo for the prosecution of the suspect.