Ebonyi state Police have reportedly arrested three suspected human traffickers in Ebonyi State, and rescued 32 trafficked victims.
The command alleged that in the cause of its investigation, the managers of a company known as `NEO Life’ company was involved in the trafficking.
Speaking to newsmen, Police Spokesperson in the State, DSP Loveth Odah, noted that preliminary investigation revealed that the children were trafficked from different parts of the country and are being used for forced labour and sexual exploitation, in the name of networking/Hawking NEO Life company products at their hideout in Okposi Umuaghara, Ezza South local government area of Ebonyi state.
She disclosed that on 7th January, 2022 at about 9::30 hrs, one Mrs. Nwankwo Ijeoma of Uterufie village in Ebonyi local government area of Ebonyi state, reported that her daughter, Nwankwo Chidera, aged 14 year was missing.
“During the investigation, a company’s advertisement sheet captured `’NEO Life’ containing a phone number was found in the missing girl’s room which was used to trace the owner of the phone number who was later identified as Christian Nwankwo and was arrested.
“The suspects rented two rooms apartment at Diamond Villa Lodge, adjacent Ebonyi State University Medical Department Presco Campus, which serves as a place of abode for the victims” she added
Odah, said the victims made useful statement to the police and led the police operatives to their hideout where two of the gang members were arrested.
Those arrested were one Nwagboduhu Ekene; aged 20, and Nwaoko Godwin, aged 24. While the 32 trafficked under aged children who were Indigenous of Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo, Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Benue, Abia and Rivers state respectively were rescued from them, but unfortunately, Chidera Nwankwo was not among those rescued here in the state.
The Spokesperson, stated that four among the rescued victims- Gloria Mbam, Emmanuel Elechi Odeh and Chibuike Uzogo had earlier been reported missing by their parents.
She said the Command now has a total number of 18 unclaimed children rescued from the suspected traffickers.
However, the Commissioner of Police in Ebonyi state, CP Aliyu Garba, requested parents and members of the public whose children are missing to report at the command headquarters for identification and possible claim of their wards.