The operatives of the FCT Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have arrested one Chinana Tali over alleged trafficking and an attempt to sell his six-year-old son for N20 million.

On Tuesday, the NSCDC FCT commandant, Olusola Odumosu, told reporters that the suspect was arrested at the point of sale after being lured to Abuja from Benue.

The suspect, while being interrogated at the NSCDC FCT command, claimed that the victim was his six-year-old son.

Mr Tali claimed he was a father of six children and had decided to sell one of his children to help raise money to take care of his large family.

“It is because of hardship and no money, so I need to find a way to train my other children,” Mr Tali said.

The NSCDC commandant explained that the arrest of the father, who was with his son, followed an intelligence tip-off of his quest to get the highest bidder.

“We booked an appointment with the suspect at a garden, where we had one of our men pose as a buyer while we had our men surround them.

“He came all the way from Benue to sell his supposed child to a buyer without caring about what might befall the child afterwards.

“To arrest his accomplice, we had to send transport fare to him after he was being deceived that the deal had been settled,” he said.

Mr Odumosu said the father, initially offered N12 million, refused and insisted that the boy, whom he referred to as a “he-goat”, be bought at N20 million.

“He also offered to sell his girl child, who he referred to as a ‘she-goat’ for N15 million if he didn’t get a buyer for the boy.

“We are not sure of the paternity yet, but more will be uncovered during further investigation as he claimed that the mother, his wife, had no idea of the transaction,” he explained.

The commandant said the corps was dedicated to protecting lives and property and would continue to take drastic measures to ensure that crimes were nip in the bud.

Mr Odumosu later handed over the father, son and one accomplice to representatives of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for further investigation and possible prosecution.

A NAPTIP senior intelligence assistant, Chinyere Oseafiama, who received them, assured that the case would be thoroughly investigated for appropriate actions.

(NAN)