The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has accused three workers in Cross River State, of attempting to traffic their employer’s two-year-old child for sale.
The Head of Operations, NAPTIP Cross River Command, Oba Joseph, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Calabar on Thursday.
According to the interview, the agency received a report on Monday that the three suspects had allegedly taken the toddler from Ogberia Ochoro Community and attempted to move him to another location.
The suspects reportedly told investigators that they had worked for their employer for about three months without receiving their wages. Joseph said the suspects claimed they decided to traffic the child as a form of revenge and to recover the money they believed they were owed.
However, the employer reportedly disputed the allegation, insisting that he had paid the workers, with only their August wages outstanding. Also stating that those wages were not yet due at the time of the alleged incident.
Farmer Raises Alarm Over Suspicious Movement
The suspects were reportedly caught after a farmer returning from the farm noticed them moving suspiciously with the child.
Joseph said the farmer questioned the three individuals, prompting one of them to allegedly claim that the two-year-old was his child. Unsatisfied with the explanation, the farmer reportedly raised an alarm.
The suspects were subsequently arrested after they had crossed about four communities while allegedly attempting to move the child. NAPTIP has since commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the alleged attempted trafficking. Joseph said the agency would prosecute the suspects after concluding its investigation.
NAPTIP Investigates Suspects’ Actual Ages
The investigation has also raised questions over the ages of the three suspects. Joseph said community records listed them as being 18, 19 and 27 years old.
However, the suspects reportedly told NAPTIP that they were 16, 17 and 25 years old. The agency has therefore sought the assistance of their parents to establish their actual ages.
Joseph explained that if the two younger suspects are confirmed to be below 18, they could be treated as children in conflict with the law. This could affect the court with jurisdiction over their case as well as the handling of the prosecution.
He stressed, however, that the alleged attempt to traffic a child remained a serious matter regardless of the suspects’ ages.
The ongoing investigation is expected to determine the facts of the case and the appropriate legal process for prosecution.
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