A farmer in Ogoja Local Government Area of Cross River State has reportedly foiled an alleged attempt by three workers to traffic their employer’s two-year-old child.
The incident occurred in Ogberia Ochoro community, where the three workers were allegedly seen moving away with the toddler under suspicious circumstances.
According to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), the farmer was returning from his farm when he noticed the workers with the child and became suspicious of their movement.
When questioned, one of the suspects allegedly claimed that the two-year-old was his child. The explanation reportedly did not convince the farmer, who raised an alarm that eventually led to their arrest.
NAPTIP said the suspects had already crossed about four communities with the toddler before they were stopped.
The agency’s Head of Operations in Cross River Command, Oba Joseph, said the suspects told investigators that they had worked for their employer for about three months without receiving their wages.
They allegedly claimed that they decided to take the child as revenge and as a way of recovering the money they said they were owed.
However, the employer reportedly disputed the claim, telling NAPTIP that the workers had been paid, with only the August salary outstanding because the month had not yet ended.
NAPTIP said investigations are ongoing and the suspects will be prosecuted after the investigation is concluded.
The agency is also working to establish the actual ages of the three suspects. While community records reportedly put their ages at 18, 19 and 27, the suspects told investigators they were 16, 17 and 25. Their parents are being contacted to help verify their ages.
NAPTIP stressed that regardless of the outcome of the age verification, the alleged attempt to traffic the toddler remains under investigation.
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