The Nigerian Army and NAPTIP have foiled a shocking attempt to sell a day-old baby for ₦3 million in Calabar. Click to read how the operation unfolded and what happened next.
Calabar, Cross River State — Operatives of the Nigerian Army, in a joint operation with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), have successfully foiled a chilling attempt to sell a day-old baby boy for ₦3 million in Calabar, Cross River State.
The operation, carried out by troops of the Headquarters 13 Brigade, followed credible intelligence reports pointing to the activities of a suspected human trafficking syndicate operating within Calabar Municipality.
Acting swiftly on the tip-off, soldiers stormed Glorious Amazing Grace Hospital located in the Ikot Ekpo axis of the state capital, where the suspects were allegedly finalising negotiations to sell the newborn infant to an unidentified buyer.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Headquarters 13 Brigade, Major Yemi Sokoya, the suspects were arrested in the middle of negotiations for the illegal sale of the baby.
“The suspects were apprehended during an ongoing negotiation to sell a day-old baby boy for the sum of three million naira. This operation was based on detailed and credible intelligence on a trafficking network operating in Calabar,” the statement revealed.
Those arrested include Mrs Glory Emmanuel (54), Mr Anthony Bassey (35), Miss Uduak John (27), Mrs Deborah Edet (35), Mrs Ruth Asoquo (35), Mrs Frada Donald (35) — all from Cross River State — and Miss Blessing Okon (23) from Akwa Ibom State.
The Nigerian Army confirmed that all suspects, alongside relevant exhibits recovered during the operation, have been handed over to NAPTIP officials for further investigation and prosecution in line with the law.
The rescued baby has since been placed in the care of appropriate authorities for protection and medical attention.
Major Sokoya condemned the act as a grave violation of human rights and reiterated the Army’s commitment to working closely with civil authorities to combat human trafficking, child abuse, and other criminal networks.
He urged members of the public to continue supporting security agencies by providing timely and credible information that can help prevent such crimes and protect vulnerable citizens.
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