The Benue State Police Command has arrested four suspected child traffickers who were operating in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps and other parts of the state.

The suspects were accused of recruiting pregnant girls and paying them N150,000 for each baby they gave birth to. The babies were then sold to unsuspecting families.

The suspects, who were identified as Member Friday, Stephen Terungwa, Sughter Akegh, and Atom Gideon, were arrested following a tip-off from a concerned citizen. The police raided their hideout in Makurdi, the state capital, and rescued a child who had been earlier reported missing by his parents.

Catherine Anene, the Police Public Relations Officer, made this known in a statement made available to newsmen in Makurdi on Wednesday.

“During the interview session, the suspects confessed to having recruited pregnant girls who gave birth and handed over to one Friday, the kingpin who has been on the run.

“They were paid N150,000 for each pregnancy that was delivered.

“One child that was earlier reported missing by his parents at Saudi Police Division was also rescued from the house of the said kingpin”, she said in the statement.

The suspects have since confessed to the crime during interrogation. They said they had been recruiting pregnant girls from the IDP camps and other vulnerable communities. They would then pay the girls N150,000 for each baby they gave birth to. The babies were then sold to unsuspecting families for a much higher price, the police image maker said.