A man identified as Sunday Onome has confessed to selling the son of one of his close friends for N1.3 million, admitting that the payment encouraged him to remain in an alleged child trafficking ring that reportedly earned him N3.6 million before his arrest.
Onome, who is from Ebonyi State, made the confession during interrogation by the Inspector-General of Police Special Team attached to the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), where he is being investigated for alleged child trafficking.
The suspect was apprehended in Onitsha, Anambra State, alongside his girlfriend and his son after security operatives intercepted two children they were allegedly transporting for sale.
Speaking to investigators, Onome said he was formerly employed as a private driver but became involved in child trafficking after losing his job.
He explained that he was introduced to the network by its members and later met his girlfriend through the same circle, with both of them subsequently participating in its activities.
According to him, his first assignment involved the child of a trusted friend.
“I sold my friend’s child for N1.3 million,” he said.
Onome stated that receiving such an amount at once convinced him to continue working for the syndicate.
He added that he later transported two more children in a separate operation, for which he was paid N2.3 million, bringing the total amount he allegedly made from the two deals to N3.6 million.
The suspect claimed members of the trafficking network rarely met in person, saying they communicated mostly by phone and transferred payments directly into his bank account after each assignment.
He also admitted that his son played a role in the operation by helping move children to designated locations, where they were handed over to other members of the syndicate.
Narrating the circumstances surrounding his arrest, Onome said he travelled to Onitsha with two children and checked into a hotel after those expected to receive them informed him they would arrive later.
He claimed funds were sent to him to pay for accommodation and feeding while he waited.
Before the children could be delivered, however, security operatives traced the suspects to the hotel and arrested Onome, his girlfriend and his son.
Police said efforts are ongoing to uncover other members of the suspected trafficking network and verify the statements made by the suspect.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
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