Child trafficking is a complex issue that requires swift action but the responsibility seems to be failing for Nigeria Police Force Enugu State Command.
Even when the police is provided with firsthand information of culprits involved, the police hierarchy seem to lack commitment and dedication to their duty, and most often compromised investigation because of who is involved and how huge the brown envelope is.
The recent development in Enugu of the release of a woman who allegedly specializes in trafficking children calls for re-examination, re-assessment and re-investigation.
On whether the police compromised after she was identified, arrested and detained is a story for another day.
On September 29, 2021, little Master Godwin Ani was reportedly abducted in Enugu. The male child of Mr. Okechukwu Ani from Onungeneoma Ugbuawka in Nkanu East LGA of Enugu State was last seen with their neighbour, Mr Chiadikaobi Peter Igiri who went underground after successfully kidnapping the child. The matter of missing Master Godwin Ani was reported to the Enugu Command of the Nigeria Police, yet with less effort to find the son or the abductor.
Three years down the line, luck ran out of Mr. Igiri when his former neighbours who were on a condolence visit in Ebonyi State bumped into him on 13th April, 2024. He was rounded up and promptly handed over to the Ebonyi State Command of the Nigeria Police Force, and subsequently transferred to the Emugu State Police Command – anti-kidnapping department.
In the course of investigation, Mr. Peter confessed that he sold the Little Godwin Ani to a 75-year-old Mrs. Caroline Chikaodinaka Ani, a native of Enugu Ngwo who also sold to her already waiting “client”, now at large. Master Godwin Ani was one year and six months when he was kidnapped and allegedly sold to Mrs. Chikaodinaka Ani who is a child trafficking syndicate and vendor.
The victim’s family volunteered to spend their last kobo to assist police get their missing son.
Consequently, police launched a manhunt for Mrs. Chikaodinaka Ani who was arrested and she admitted selling the child to standby buyer when he was brought to her.
At Mrs. Chikaodinaka Ani’s home, police reportedly found another stolen girl child in her custody. The 8-year-old girl dif not know her parents or where she hails from.
Also Mr Igiri confessed that he sold his biological 3-months old son to Chikodinaka Ani and Mrs. Chinelo Nwosu, a nurse at University Teaching Hospital Port Harcourt.
By the way, Mrs. Chinelo Nwosu is a biological daughter of Mrs Chikodinaka Ani and also an accomplice. She allegedly connived with one other nurse at the same hospital to abduct the child whose name was given as Chimsidili.
When Mrs. Chinelo Nwosu was arrested in Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, she confessed that her sister-in-law, Mrs. Ebere Ani was the person who moved Little Chimsidili from Enugu to Port Harcourt where she was promptly sold.
Chimsidili is three years old now and she was named evidence during the arraignment of Mrs. Chikodinaka Ani.
Mrs. Ebere Ani had denied knowledge of the family ‘business’ of child trafficking. The police, surprisingly, released her unconditionally.
Investigations show that Mrs. Chikaodinaka Ani sold Master Godwin Ani to a notable person of means in Enugu State and, the police allegedly compromised at some point.
The police, it was alleged, hurriedly charged the suspects, the duo of Mr. Igiri and Mrs Chikaodinaka Ani to court, on Tuesday 22nd May, 2024, purportedly to shield the “rich buyer” from being arrested.
According to the parents of Master Godwin Ani, despite all entreaties by the victim’s family to make the police understand need recover their child first before heading to the court since the buyer is known, they were told that the State Commissioner of Police, CP Kanayo Uzuegbu, has directed the suspects be charged to court.
Strangely, Enugu State High Court has on June 27, 2024 granted the prime suspect, Mrs Chikaodinaka Ani bail.
Ani Henry, uncle to little Godwin Ani opined that the investigation of such matter is not conclusive when the victim whose whereabouts is known and his abductors are not brought to book.
Mr. Okechukwu Ani, the father of the missing Godwin Ani has cried to the Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah and the Inspector-General of Police IGP Kayode Egbetokun to prevail on Enugu police command to help him trace his son’s buyer now that the abductor and seller have been identified.
The traumatized father also appealed to religious organizations, families and non-governmental to intervene. She said the family has been devastated since the child was stolen.
As the father of Master Godwin Ani continue fighting to reunite with his still missing son, the Enugu police has been disproportionate in its response, even when the abductor and sellers have confessed to their heinous crimes. The police seem unwilling and nonchalant to tracking down the buyer. The CP has diversed intimidating tactics to push, shove and drag underground the substance of the matter with reasons best known to him.
Latest development show that the family of Master Godwin Ani requested the CP to order for the re-arrest of Mrs. Caroline Chikaodinaka Ani the kingpin of child trafficking and her daughter in-law Mrs. Ebere Ani whom police arrested abinitio and was released on mere deceptive denial of not knowing anything mother-in-law is child trafficker. Earlier, Mrs. Chinelo Nwosu’s confessional statement before the CP shows that Ebere Ani is a principal accomplice. She is the suspect who moves their victims to Port Harcourt to deliver to the buyers.
The CP, it was alleged, purportedly declined their request to re-arrest the suspect and told the family of the victim that it should be better to release Mrs. Chinelo Nwosu and use her as witness in the case.
As a result, well meaning Nigerians and civil right organizations have called on the IGP to initiate immediate investigation into the kidnap issue, as well as the accusations leveled against the Enugu Police Command.
Meanwhile, the Enugu State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Daniel Ndukwe only said he would respond, “When I get details of the case please”. Other efforts to get the police side of the story were not successful.
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