NAPTIP Launches Manhunt For Woman Over Trafficking Of Lady 16, Child To Ghana
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Anambra command has commenced search for a woman who trafficked a 16 year old lady(name withheld) and her three months old child from Anambra to Ghana.
Mrs Judith-Chukwu Ibadin, Commander of NAPTIP told newsmen in Awka on Monday that Mr Nzube Nwakamma, 22, who facilitated the illicit travel had been arrested and was assisting with investigation.
Ibadin said the Ghanaian based woman whose identity was not yet ascertained contracted Nwakamma to recruit a girl who could work in her restaurant in Ghana for a fee of N100,000.
She said Nwakamma went for the 16 year old lady from Awka Etiti in Idemili South Local Government Area who he claimed was his girlfriend and took her with her baby to Nnewi where he handed them over to the Ghana based principal.
Ibadin said it was a case of suspected trafficking for prostitution and that efforts were in full fear to locate and rescue the victim and her baby.
She said the transaction was done in may this year but was reported to NAPTIP in August by the Police.
“The suspect identified as Nzube Nwakamma, 22, during interview confessed to trafficking the victim to Ghana where he handed her over woman whom we are yet to identify but we have her phone number as provided by the suspect
“They met in Nnewi where the woman paid Nwakama a sum of N100,000 to recruit a girl who would work in her supposed restaurant in Ghana.
“The suspect recruited the victim whom he claimed used to be his girlfriend from her village in Awka Etiti and took her to Nnewi where he handed over to the female suspect,” she said.
Ibadin said the case was a trans border crime and that NAPTIP was investigating the with full activation of all the security apparatus available to the Agency including including the Police.
The Commander said the Director General of NAPTIP Dr Fatima Waziri-Azi, had taken special interest in the matter and ordered an intensive manhurt and immediate arrest of all involved in the illicit trade.
She said the suspect had been arrested and detained in a Police facility as NAPTIP did have a detention facility but had been granted bail.
She said the suspect had been reporting as stipulated in the bail condition and providing relevant information but assured that he would be rearrested if he threatened anybody including the complainants from Awka Etiti.
“We shared all information we have about the woman in Ghana with the relevant agencies for tracking and possible arrest.
“Nzube was detained at the Police detention facility but has met the conditions for and granted bail.
*We want to assure the people of Awka Etiti that if the suspect actually threatens them or becomes a threat, we shall revoke his bail and put him back in detention with court order,” she said.
