The police command in Anambra says it has in its custody, 32-year-old Joshua Simeon, allegedly engaging in human trafficking.
The command’s public relations officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed this in a statement made available to journalists in Onitsha on Sunday.
Mr Ikenga stated that the suspect was caught at Nkpor in Idemili North Local Government Area of the state.
He noted that the operatives attached to the Ogidi Area Command acted on credible information on February 1 at about by 4:00 p.m. and caught the suspect, while allegedly attempting to elope with a five-year-old girl.
According to him, the team rescued the girl, identified as Nkemdilim Jacob, reportedly taken away from their residence at Umuota Village, Obosi in the area.
“The suspect had already boarded a commercial vehicle and was en route to an unknown destination when he was caught.
“The suspect is in custody and currently undergoing interrogation to ascertain his motives and determine whether this incident is part of a larger child trafficking network,” Ikenga added.
He further stated that efforts were ongoing to contact the parents or relatives of the child for possible reunion.
The statement assured the public that the command was committed to protecting vulnerable members of society, to combat child abduction and trafficking and ensure the safety and wellbeing of all children in the state.
(NAN)