Hard times: Father, mother sell two daughters for N700,000 to settle debts

By Ajuma Edwina Ameh

A 40-year-old man has been apprehended by operatives of the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps NSCDC, Akwa Ibom State Command, while attempting to sell his two daughters for N700,000 in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

Persecondnews gathered that the man, Elisha Effiong, allegedly conspired with his wife to sell their two daughters of ages 6 and 4 to pay off his debt and meet other financial obligations.

Effiong, who lives in Cameroon with his wife, was arrested in Uyo through intelligence report.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, Umana Ukeme, in a statement on Wednesday said the suspect had confessed that he took the decision due to the current economic hardship.

“The suspect confided in a private security guard about his plans, while the guard, in turn, notified the commandant of the corps, Mr. Abidemi Majekodunmi, who immediately ordered the arrest of the culprit.

“The suspect, Elisha Edet Effiong, ‘M’ was apprehended with his two children identified as Abasifreke Edet, 6, and Rachel Edet, 4, while attempting to sell them for M700,000 in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

“Effiong, 40 years, was apprehended at FulCare Hospital along Ekpanya Street, where he notified the security guard of his intention to sell his two children to pay off his debt and meet other financial challenges.

“The security guard notified the NSCDC and immediately, Commandant Abidemi Majekodunmi detailed personnel of the anti-human trafficking unit of the corps, who swung into action and apprehended the suspect alongside with his two daughters, ” the spokesman said.

Ukeme said preliminary investigations had been concluded, adding that the case will be transferred to NAPTIP zonal office, Uyo, for the prosecution of the suspect.