Anambra community in panic over release of suspected human trafficker

The release of a suspected human trafficker, Nzube popularly known as Zuma who was arrested for trafficking 16 year old Amarachi Favour Okoyeigwe and her son Munachi, a year and 3 months old boy, by the officials of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) through the police is breeding tension and fear in Awka-Etiti community, Idemili South LGA, Anambra State.

Zuma, an alleged notorious cultist was nabbed for the kidnap/trafficking of Amarachi and her son, Munachi from Iruowele village, Awka-Eititi whom have been missing since May 8, 2022.

Amarachi’s father, Ogugua and her grandmother, Augustina Okoyeigwe who spoke to newsmen in deep tears yesterday said Zuma was fingered as the one who tricked the young mother and her son away,  after over two months of searching for them, to no avail.

Chairman of Iruowele village, Awka-Etiti, Patrick Nwokeike and the Public Relations Officer, Malachy Udegbunam narrated that Zuma was tracked by the community vigilante who eventually arrested and handed him over to the police at Nnobi Police Division where he (Zuma) confessed on tape and video recording, that he trafficked Amarachi and her son Munachi to Ghana and that they will be brought back within three days if he is freed from detention.

The village leaders lamented that Zuma was later handed over to NAPTIP for prosecution and to help recover the missing people but to their greatest surprise, he was released on bail while there are indications that he has fled the country.

Expressing worries over the release of the suspect, the village leaders said the entire community is in fear presently because the suspect who earlier bragged that he would come back without qualms may turn back and attack those who fought for his arrest.

They also wondered what might have become the fate of the missing Amarachi and her son Munachi expressing fears that they might have been killed for ritual purposes since no one had ever heard their voice since their disappearance in May 2022.

They called on the Anambra State Commissioner of Police and Governor Soludo to come to their aid and ensure that their missing children are found alive.

They also want Zuma, the culprit arrested and punished according to the law while the security of the people of Iruowele village, Awka-Etiti and all those involved in the struggle for justice in the matter is secured.

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