Troops of the 13 Brigade headquarters of the Nigerian Army in Calabar, Cross River State, in collaboration with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), have arrested seven suspected human traffickers and rescued a newborn baby during an intelligence-led operation.
The operation, carried out on Wednesday in Calabar Municipality Local Government Area, followed “detailed and credible intelligence” on the activities of a suspected child trafficking syndicate operating in the area. Acting on the tip-off, army personnel conducted a coordinated raid on Glorious Amazing Grace Hospital in the Ikot Ekpo district of Calabar.
“During the raid, the suspects were apprehended while negotiations were ongoing to sell a day-old baby boy for N3 million,” the army said in a statement issued on Wednesday by its spokesperson, Major Yemi Sokoya.
The arrested suspects were identified as Glory Emmanuel, 54; Anthony Bassey, 35; Uduak John, 27; Deborah Edet, 35; Ruth Asoquo, 35; Frada Donald, 35—all from Cross River State—and Blessing Okon, 23, from Akwa Ibom State.
The army confirmed that the suspects, along with relevant exhibits, were handed over to NAPTIP for further investigation and prosecution, while the rescued infant has been placed in the care of “appropriate authorities.”
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Major Sokoya emphasised that the army remains committed to collaborating with civil authorities and security agencies to combat human trafficking, child abuse, and other crimes within its jurisdiction. He also urged members of the public to provide “timely, credible, and actionable information” to aid security efforts.
Under Nigeria’s Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, buying, selling, or dealing in persons is a criminal offence, carrying a minimum sentence of five years’ imprisonment and fines ranging from N1 million to N5 million, with stricter penalties when minors are involved. NAPTIP serves as the lead agency for enforcement and victim support.
Additionally, the Child Rights Act 2003 criminalises the sale, hire, or exploitation of children, including using minors for begging, hawking, sexual exploitation, or domestic servitude, with violators facing up to five years’ imprisonment or heavy fines.
The joint operation underscores ongoing efforts by the Nigerian Army and NAPTIP to dismantle trafficking networks and protect vulnerable children from exploitation.