Imo vigilance groups arrest man for alleged attempt to sell wife, baby

A COMBINED team of vigilance groups from two communities, Ohakelem and Opkala in Ngor Opkala Local Council of Imo State, at the weekend arrested a father in one of the communities, Obinna Nwankpa, in the bush while attempting to sell his baby and wife to some persons. The other suspected main dealer, who was said to have introduced Nwankpa to the business, escaped.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Andrew Enwerem, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), has confirmed the incident, stating that investigations were going on in the matter.

Parading the suspect at the palace of the monarch of Ohakelem, Eze E. Okere, the coordinator of the groups, Innocent Nwahiri, said they apprehended the suspect and one Ben Echeberemeze, based on the tip- off they received, adding that the suspect had invited his wife to come with his baby to an uncompleted building in the bush.

He said as Nwankpa was there waiting for the deal to take place and while negotiating on phone, the vigilance group arrived there and arrested him.

The two suspects and two motorcycles that were recovered at the scene were handed over to the Umuneke Police Station in the area.

The monarch of the community, Okere, said from the information he gathered concerning the fleeing suspect, he had indulged in several similar child theft/kidnapping and human trafficking in the community, urging the state government to investigate the matter thoroughly and deal with the culprit if found guilty of the offence.

His words: “I heard he is involved in child trafficking. He does it with a boy in Mbaise who is now on the run. Why did he ask Obinna to bring his wife and child? He knew what they planned before going into the bush. I call on the government to come here and handle them firmly otherwise this incident would happen again.”