National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, Edo Zonal Command, has arrested a fake Reverend sister over the alleged trafficking of 38 children in Delta State.
It was learnt that the suspect, 40-year-old Ikejimba Maryvianney (alias Oluchi) and one Chidera, now at large, handed over the children to two orphanage homes under the guise of giving them better care.
The children were said to have been handed over to the suspects by their parents at a farmers’ community in Enugu-Awka camp by Monastery, Ilah, Delta State.
Following a tip-off, Maryvianney was reportedly arrested by NAPTIP.
Confirming the development, NAPTIP Zonal Commander in Benin, Nduka Nwanwenne, said the suspect was in custody.
According to him, the suspect claimed to be trained in Ghana as a Rev. sister while their headquarters is in the Philippines.
She claimed to have come to meet the parents and persuaded them to allow their children to follow them to their orphanage homes, promising them that they would be given better care.
He added, “To convince the parents when they were handed over the first batch of the children, he said the suspects asked two of the parents to follow them to know the two orphanage homes the children would stay’.
“32 of the children have been recovered by the agency while six who are between the ages of three and six years old are yet to be recovered
“The suspect claims that three of the six children are in Badagry while the other three are in Ogun State but later said they have been adopted by people in the East.”
He disclosed that NAPTIP was still on the trail of the other suspect, who is at large, adding that the suspect would be charged in court as soon as the investigation is concluded.
He warned parents to be vigilant and never trust anybody with their kids without asking fundamental questions.