SSS arrests Catholic priest, monarch for child theft

The suspects

The State Security Service, Akwa Ibom State Command, has arrested a Catholic priest with St. Peters Parish, Anambra State, Joseph Okon, a traditional ruler, Chief Uchenna Onyekaozuru, and 18 others for alleged child theft.

Deputy Director, Operations, Mr. Fubara Duke, told PUNCH Metro during a parade in Uyo that eight children had been rescued from the suspects.

He said the service was working on reuniting the children with their families.

He explained that criminals had resorted to child trafficking after security agencies successfully kept kidnapping and other violent crimes at bay.

He said about 50 children had been stolen and sold in the last eight months in Akwa Ibom State. He added that the development had necessitated the command to direct its security operations to the illicit trade in the last few months.

He said a recent investigation by the command led to the arrest of the suspects who were members of a major syndicate involved in the buying and selling of children.

He said, ‘’Our Investigation into this trade led to the unmasking of a major syndicate and the arrest of suspects who are involved in the buying and selling of these children.”

According to him, the syndicate has abductors and facilitators who are mostly operators of  orphanages, social and women affairs officers and agents.

PUNCH Metro learnt that a child could be sold for between N450,000 and N700,000.

Okon, however, said he only offered prayers and counsel to childless women who approached him.

“When they come to me, I direct them to orphanages and they will come back and give me a gift ranging from N20,000 to N25,000. That was how I was arrested,” he said.

Onyekaozuru told our correspondent that he had been in the trade since 2012 and that he had benefited nothing from it.

He admitted that he had bought and sold over 12 children since he joined the trade

He said, “I have benefited nothing from this thing apart from disgrace and shame.

“I started this business in 2012 and so far, I have been involved in the selling and buying of 12 children. I was enticed to this business by women who had no children; my benevolence led me into this shameful act.”