Benue State Police Command has arrested a couple, one Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Uttah for alleged child trafficking offences.
The couple were arrested after a pregnant girl reported that they had offered to help her with her teenage pregnancy after which they will pay her N200,000 for the baby.
The Commissioner of Police in Benue State, CP Mukaddas Garba disclosed this while briefing newsmen on successes recorded by the command in the last few weeks.
He told newsmen that “on the 12th of August, 2020, at about 1400hrs a teenage pregnant girl of Orji-River, Enugu State came to ‘C’ Police Division Makurdi and reported that while she was frustrated with her unwanted pregnancy, an unknown young man deceived her and took her to the house of one Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Uttah who offered to take care of her until delivery and pay her the sum of N200, 000 for her child.
“During investigation, the suspects were arrested and further investigation revealed that Ada Benjamin and her husband have been suspected to be involved in several other cases of child trafficking but took to their heels to prevent arrest and prosecution.”
Speaking to newsmen during their parade, Ada Benjamin denied the allegation saying “I did not do any such thing”.
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Mrs Benjamin who has eight children of her own, however, agreed that she has been brought to the station twice, for child trafficking.
CP Mukaddas said the command has clamped down on armed robbery, communal clashes and cultism among other offences in the State.
He noted that during the period under review, 17 armed robbers/cultists, two child traffickers, one cyber criminal and four suspects in possession of prohibited firearms were arrested.
Among them were Jude Danladi Godwin, Jamile Ahmed and Matthew Maiamba of Nasarawa and Plateau States who conspired and tricked a motorcyclist into a hotel where they drugged him and took away his motorcycle.
He said all the cases are being investigated and the suspects would be brought to book if found guilty.
The CP appreciated the people of Benue State for their usual support in the fight against crime pledging that the command is committed to rid the state of criminals and make the environment safe for the people.
