Police operatives in Akwa Ibom have arrested a father, Gabriel Okon Ekpiri, for selling his 9-year old son for N400,000.
The suspect, who is a native of Ekit Itam Akpan Obong community in Itu Local Government Area of the state, when nabbed by the police has blamed the devil and hard time.
Confirming the incident in a statement on Monday night in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State Police Command’s spokesperson, Odiko Macdon, disclosed that the suspect was arrested by the Quick Intervention Squad of the Command.
Macdon said the suspect confessed to the crime during police investigation but blamed the act on the devil and economic hardship.
According to the statement: “The Commissioner of Police Akwa Ibom State, Olatoye Durusinmi, has condemned the action of one Gabriel Okon Ekpiri of Ekit Itam Akpan Obong in Itu Local Government Area, who sold his nine-year old son for N400,000.
“The CP noted that the act was barbaric and totally unacceptable, and the suspect who was arrested by the quick Intervention Squad of the Command has confessed to the crime while blaming the devil and economic hardship for his actions.”