In Abuja, operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have apprehended Chinana Tali at the moment he was attempting to sell his eight-year-old son, Ushafa Tali, for the sum of N20 million.
The NSCDC FCT Commandant, Olusola Odumosu, addressed the media during the suspect’s parade in Abuja, revealing that the child trafficking suspect was nabbed after being enticed to the capital from Benue.
The arrest of Chinana, who was in the company of his son, transpired following an intelligence tip-off about his intent to secure the highest bidder for the sale of young Ushafa.
Odumosu said: “We booked an appointment with the suspect at a garden where we had one of our men pose as a buyer while we had our men surround them. He came all the way from Benue to sell his supposed child to a buyer without caring about what might befall the child afterwards.
“To arrest his accomplice, we had to send transport fare to him after he was being deceived that the deal had been settled.”
He said that the father who was initially offered N12 million refused and insisted that the boy who he referred to as a “He-goat” during his conversation on phone be bought at the rate of N20 million.
“He also offered to sell his girl child whom he referred to as a She-goat for N15 million, if he didn’t get a buyer for the boy.
“We are not sure of the paternity yet but more will be uncovered during further investigation as he claimed that the mother, his wife, had no idea of the transaction.”
The Commandant said that the Corps was dedicated to ensure the protection of lives and property and will continue to take drastic measures to ensure that crimes were nip in the bud. He however warned persons who may have such evil intentions as that of Tali and his accomplices to desist as child trafficking was a serious offence.
Odumosu said he would be handing over the father, son, and one accomplice to representatives of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for further investigation and possible prosecution.
Chinana while being interrogated said that he is a father of six children and had decided to sell one of his children to help raise money to take care of his large family.
He said: “It is because of hardship and no money so I needed to find a way to train my other children.”
NAPTIP Senior Intelligence Assistant, Mrs Chinyere Oseafiama, who was on hand to take possession of the father and son and the other suspect assured that the case will be thoroughly investigated for appropriate actions.
“We are happy for what the NSCDC has done and we are assuring that NAPTIP will do the needful and get back to the public with a positive report regarding the case,” Oseafiama said.
The Commandant affirmed the Corps’ unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives and property, emphasizing their determination to take decisive actions to thwart criminal activities. He issued a stern warning to individuals harboring malicious intentions similar to Tali’s, underscoring the gravity of child trafficking as a severe offense.
Odumosu announced that he would be handing over Chinana, his son Ushafa, and an accomplice to representatives of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for further investigation and potential prosecution.
During the interrogation, Chinana revealed that he is the father of six children and resorted to selling one of his offspring to alleviate financial burdens in caring for his large family.