The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons has arrested a Nigerian based in Sweden for allegedly buying a two-month-old baby.
The NAPTIP’s Director of Investigation and Monitoring, Mr Josiah Emerole, made this known in Abuja on Friday. He explained that the case involved a 43-year-old Stephany Bassey, who lives in Sweden.
He said that NAPTIP was notified of the case by the officers of the Intelligence and International Cooperation, adding that the suspect was nabbed after she was handed over by the Embassy of Sweden in Nigeria.
“The suspect went to the Embassy to procure travel documents for a two-month-old baby boy whom she claimed was her child.
“She claimed to have become pregnant for her husband in Sweden but that medical examination could not detect the pregnancy over there.
“Then she was advised to return home to Uyo, Akwa Ibom state where the pregnancy would be detected and she will be assisted to deliver safely.
“According to her, on her return, the baby was detected by a midwife in Uyo”, he explained.
Emerole added that the suspect did not breastfeed the baby and the DNA conducted showed that there was no biological relationship between the suspect and the baby.
Speaking to newsmen, Bassey, insisted that she gave birth to the baby claiming that her pregnancy could not be detected in Sweden because it was ectopic until she came to Uyo.
On why she did not breastfeed the two-month baby, the suspect claimed she had no breast milk to give to her child.
The spokesperson disclosed that another suspect, Mrs Ifeoma Obinwa, was also nabbed for allegedly inflicting grievous body injury on her 14-year-old house help in Dutse Alhaji, Abuja.
He said that the victim who had lived with her since 2015 was not enrolled in school and was always being physically and emotionally abused.
According to him, the victim was always beaten by the suspect with sticks, wire and sharp objects and such treatment had left wounds and scars on her body including her head.
“The last incident that led to the suspect’s arrest happened on September 12, 2018, when the suspect who accused the victim of beating her child, allegedly placed a knife on fire until it became very hot and then placed it on the victim’s thigh and buttocks.
“And that caused grievous body injuries and the victim was also left untreated until operatives of the agency rescued her.”
Speaking with newsmen, Obinwa admitted to the allegation of using hot object on her house help, saying that she did it out of anger.
Emerole also told newsmen that one Mrs Sandra Obiosio from Rivers state, who lives in Jabi, Abuja was also arrested for maltreating her 14-year-old house help, who was brought from Nasarawa.
He said that the little girl who looked malnourished was allegedly subjected to all manner of abuse and ill-treatment.
Emerole added that the victim narrated that “she goes to bed 1am to 2am and wakes up at 4am daily” and the suspect did not enrol her in school as promised before she was engaged.
The director noted that all the cases were contrary to various sections of the trafficking in person enforcement and administration act 2015.
He said that as soon as the investigation was concluded, the cases would be charged to court.
Obiosio vehemently denied maltreating her house help when she spoke with newsmen.