NAPTIP, police arrest two women for alleged child trafficking in Cross River

Operatives of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), in collaboration with Caritas International and the Nigerian Police at the Ogoja Divisional Headquarters, have arrested two women in connection with a case of child trafficking in Cross River State.

The Nation gathered that the suspects, Paulina Banku Otu, a nurse at Ogoja General Hospital, and Regina Abuashia, a staff member of Ogoja Local Government Council, were apprehended following the disappearance of a two-year-old girl, Purity Lehi Sunday, on July 5, 2025, at Okuku Market in Yala Local Government Area.

According to police sources, intelligence efforts and cooperation between the joint investigation team and the child’s mother, Mrs. Maria Ogar, led to the safe recovery of the child. She was found unharmed and reunited with her family at the Ogoja Police Station.

Preliminary investigation revealed that both suspects have made statements linking them to the case. They have been transferred to NAPTIP’s office in Calabar for further interrogation and prosecution under applicable laws.


Meanwhile, the Cross River State Police Command has cautioned the public against the spread of misleading videos on social media that misrepresent the circumstances surrounding the incident.


The Command warned that such content could disrupt public order and hinder the ongoing investigation.

The police called on bloggers, influencers, and content creators to adhere to responsible reporting standards and verify facts before sharing information online.

“The dissemination of unverified or sensational narratives not only misleads the public but may also have legal consequences,” the statement read.

The Command reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and intensifying efforts against child trafficking and related crimes across the state.

- The Nation

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