Crime
PHOTOS: Four Women Arrested, Newborn Rescued As Security Operatives Dismantle Child Trafficking Syndicate Running Fake Pregnancy And Baby Sale Scheme In Cross River.
Swift action by operatives of the Cross River State Homeland Safety & Security Agency (HSSA) has led to the rescue of a newborn baby and the dismantling of a suspected child trafficking syndicate operating from Akpabuyo Local Government Area of the state.
Acting on credible intelligence, a team led by Comrade Eyo, HSSA Akpabuyo Unit Commander, intercepted a commercial taxi on 24th June, 2026 at the Maternity Junction axis of Akpabuyo LGA.
Three women, Mrs. Mary Solomon, 42, Patience Akumuruk 46, and Juliet Efut 43 were found in the vehicle with a newborn baby wrapped in a shawl.
During preliminary interrogation, the suspects claimed they were transporting the infant to Obubra.
The prime suspect Mrs. Solomon told operatives she had traveled from Obubra to Akpabuyo for delivery and had “put to bed” at a private delivery home in Akwa Ikot Effanga.
Further investigation that same day led to the arrest of Umoh Effiong Edet popularly known as Glory, the operator of the delivery home.
Under questioning, Edet allegedly confessed that the baby was delivered by a young girl who could not care for the child.
Edet reportedly revealed an elaborate scheme described as “implanting,” in which clients like Mrs. Solomon are made to appear pregnant for up to a year.
The process induces visible physical changes, including abdominal swelling, to deceive spouses, family, and neighbors into believing the client is carrying a child.
“During this period, the real mother is housed secretly. When she delivers, the baby is handed over to the client for a fee, while the public believes it was a legitimate birth,” a senior HSSA source familiar with the case disclosed.
The four suspects — Mary Solomon, Patience Akumuruk, Juliet Efut and delivery home operator, Umoh Effiong Edet, have been handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) through the Operation Okwok office in Calabar for further investigation and prosecution.
HSSA confirmed that more arrests have been made since the 24th June operation as operatives widen the probe into what appears to be a network exploiting vulnerable young mothers. Investigations are ongoing to identify the biological mother of the rescued infant and other potential victims.
Reacting on Wednesday, July 1, DG South, HSSA, Chief Michael Orok Nsan praised the Akpabuyo unit’s rapid response.
“This operation underscores our mandate to protect the most vulnerable. Homeland Security is not just about borders and forests, it’s about defending human lives in our communities. We commend Comrade Eyo and his team, and we urge citizens to continue using our tip-off channels,” Nsan said.
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One hundred and thirty persons have been arrested after men of the Federal Bureau of Investigation FBI raided a suspected fraud compound in Ghana and arrested more than 130 people.
The FBI Director, Kash Patel, disclosed this in a post shared on his official X account on Thursday.
Patel said the operation, codenamed “Operation Blackout”, was carried out in the week as part of the FBI’s efforts to dismantle global scam centres.
“OPERATION BLACKOUT: This is the FBI’s global scam-centre fraud demolition. Another takedown this week out of Ghana,” Patel wrote.
He said the operation had so far resulted in nearly $10m in identified losses, 89 victims identified, more than 130 individuals arrested or detained, including victims who would be repatriated to their home countries, and more than 300 devices seized.
“Investigation is ongoing. These scam compounds target American citizens and destroy lives – and this @FBI is crushing them in every corner of the world. More to come,” he said.
Patel also gave an update on the overall Operation Blackout figures, saying roughly $17bn had been seized, hundreds of alleged scammers arrested and thousands of trafficked workers freed.
He added that more than 10,000 Americans had been warned before losing their money, while an estimated $670m in losses had been prevented.
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