Security forces in Akwa Ibom have arrested five suspected members of a child trafficking syndicate along the Ikot Ekpene–Aba highway.

Zagazola Makama learnt from sources that detectives attached to the Criminal Surveillance Unit (CSU), while on stop-and-search duty on Aug. 28, intercepted an 18-seater Toyota Hiace bus belonging to Uwakmfom Transportation Company.

According to the sources , one of the passengers, identified as Precious Emmanuel Bassey, was found with a two-year-old girl, Glory Edet Etim, but could not give a satisfactory account of the child.

“She was immediately arrested and, upon interrogation, confessed that she was taking the child to Lagos for trafficking. She also admitted to having earlier sold another child,” said the sources.

The sources added that based on her confession, four other suspects Godspower Edet, Esther Effiong Edet, Mandu Asuquo Sampson and Eli Adolphus were arrested.

Sources said discreet investigation was ongoing to track down other members of the syndicate and recover previously trafficked children. (Zagazola)