The Edo Zonal Command of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has arrested a 40-year-old woman posing as a reverend sister for allegedly trafficking 38 children in Delta State.

DAILY POST reports that the suspect, identified as Ikejimba Maryvianney, was apprehended by NAPTIP following a tip-off.

Barister Nduka Nwanwrnne, the NAPTIP Zonal Commander in Benin, confirmed the incident and stated that the suspect is currently in their custody.

Nwanwenne said the suspect, Maryvianney, also known as Oluchi, 40, and another named Chidera, who is currently at large, were entrusted with the children with promises of providing better care in their two orphanage homes.

He explained that the children were handed over to the suspects by their parents at a farm community in Enugu-Awka camp by Monastery, Ilah, Delta State.

Nwanwenne further disclosed that the suspect, claiming to be trained as a reverend sister in Ghana with headquarters in the Philippines, was apprehended when she attempted to recruit more children from the farm community.

The suspect persuaded the parents to allow their children to accompany them to their orphanage homes with the assurance of better care.

“On January 28, 2024, the suspect was given 12 children, while on February 19, she was given 26 children, bringing the total number of children in her custody to 38, all of whom are minors.

“The suspect and her accomplices are human traffickers posing as Reverend Sisters from a convent in Owerri, recruiting children for human trafficking.

“To convince the parents during the first transfer of children, the suspects asked two of the parents to accompany them to visit the two orphanage homes where the children would stay,” he said.

Nwanwenne stated that 32 of the children have been rescued by the agency, while six, aged between three, four, and six years old, are yet to be located.

The NAPTIP Zonal Commander explained that upon arrest, the suspect claimed that three of the six missing children were in Badagry, while the remaining three were in Ogun State. However, she later stated that they had been adopted by individuals in the East.

He added that the agency is still actively pursuing the victims and the at-large suspect, adding that the suspect in custody would be prosecuted.

He also cautioned parents to remain vigilant and to inquire thoroughly before entrusting their children to anyone.