NSCDC Denies Baby-Selling Allegation; Threatens Sahara Reporters
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ebonyi State Command, has debunked a report published by Sahara Reporters accusing its legal officer of aiding and abetting child trafficking in a case involving Ms. Sussana Nwanneka Nweze, who allegedly sold her newborn baby for ₦25 million.
In a strongly worded statement, the Command described the publication as misleading, malicious, baseless, and defamatory, stressing that neither the officer mentioned nor the Command had any connection to the alleged cover-up.
According to the NSCDC, Ebonyi command, its preliminary investigation was professionally concluded and the case duly handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), a government agency mandated to prosecute such cases before the press.
The Command, in a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer, ASCI Emmanuella O. Ibeneme, demanded that Sahara Reporters retract the story and issue a public apology within 48 hours or face a legal action.
The release reads in parts,
“We strongly caution Sahara Reporters and other media houses to verify all facts before publication. Responsible journalism requires balanced reportage, as the public should not be fed with fake or unverified information.
The Command demands that Sahara Reporters issue an immediate retraction of the said report and a public apology within 48 hours. Failure to do so will attract legal action”.
The NSCDC reiterated its commitment to justice and the continued delivery of effective and efficient security services to the government and good people of Ebonyi State.
