In a deeply troubling incident, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command recently apprehended Chinana Solomon Telpesa Tali for a heinous crime – attempting to sell his own eight-year-old son, Ushafa, for the staggering sum of N20 million. This shocking revelation unfolded alongside the arrest of Tali’s accomplice, Pius Aondoakaa, adding another layer of gravity to an already disturbing situation.
The NSCDC FCT Commandant, Mr. Olusola Odumosu, disclosed the details of this distressing case during a press conference where the suspects were paraded before the public. According to Odumosu, the child trafficking suspect, Tali, was lured to Abuja from Benue, only to find himself ensnared by the law enforcement authorities. Aondoakaa, the accomplice, reportedly went so far as to dismiss an initial offer of N12 million for the child, callously referring to him as a “He-goat.”
The suspects, identified as 42-year-old Tali and 29-year-old Aondoakaa, both hail from the Tiv tribe, specifically from R.C.M Abeda Mbadyul village, Logo LGA. Following their arrest, the authorities have decided to hand them over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for further investigation and prosecution.
During the press briefing, Odumosu highlighted the gravity of the situation and emphasized the commitment of the NSCDC to minimizing crime in the FCT. He provided insights into the undercover operation that led to the arrest, revealing that Aondoakaa, in his quest for a higher bid, rejected the initial offer and was seeking N20 million for the “He-goat,” using a derogatory term for the innocent child.
The eight-year-old victim, Ushafa, shared heart-wrenching details during interrogation, revealing that he is the fourth child of the accused father. This revelation adds a layer of tragedy to an already appalling situation, emphasizing the vulnerability of the child involved.
The operation to apprehend Tali reached its climax when he was lured to Abuja on January 10, 2024, by FCT Intelligence Personnel posing as potential buyers. The transaction was chillingly concluded at a garden, where Tali agreed to the terms and accepted the N20 million payment. At this point, law enforcement officers swiftly moved in, rescuing the young Ushafa from the clutches of his own father.
Tali, a father of six, attempted to rationalize his unthinkable actions by blaming economic hardship in the country. In his own words, “It is because of hardship and no money, so I needed to find a way to train my other children.” This statement adds a layer of complexity to the case, revealing the socio-economic factors that might have driven Tali to commit such a reprehensible act.
Mrs. Chinere Oseafiama, a Senior Intelligence Assistant from NAPTIP, assured that the case would be thoroughly investigated, and appropriate actions would be taken. The involvement of NAPTIP underscores the severity of the offense and the need for a comprehensive inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the attempted sale of a child.
In a related incident, the FCT-NSCDC also apprehended a 23-year-old man named Yakubu Mati on January 11, 2024, for the vandalism of armored cables along the Idu Metro Railway Lines. This secondary incident further underscores the law enforcement agencies’ commitment to maintaining order and protecting the well-being of citizens in the Federal Capital Territory.
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