The Lumine News

Tag: #Caritas Nigeria

  • Just In: C’River Police Command Confirms Arrest Of Nurse And Accomplice Involved In Child Trafficking In Ogoja

    Just In: C’River Police Command Confirms Arrest Of Nurse And Accomplice Involved In Child Trafficking In Ogoja

    CROSS RIVER STATE POLICE COMMAND
    PRESS RELEASE:
    17TH JULY, 202

    ARREST OF NURSE AND ACCOMPLICE INVOLVED IN CHILD TRAFFICKING – BABY RESCUED UNHARMED AT OGOJA LGA

    The Cross River State Police Command, under the leadership of Commissioner of Police, CP Rashid B. Afegbua, PSC, mnips, wishes to clarify the facts surrounding the recent incident involving a nurse arrested in connection with child trafficking.

    On the 15th of July 2025, at approximately 2:00 PM, operatives of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), in collaboration with an international NGO—Caritas International—and with the support of the Ogoja Divisional Police Headquarters, successfully apprehended two female suspects linked to a case of child trafficking reported on July 5th, 2025, at Okuku Market in Yala LGA.

    The suspects are:

    Paulina Banku Otu (female) – a nurse employed at Ogoja General Hospital the prime suspect, and

    Regina Abuashia (female) – a staff of Ogoja Local Government Council, identified as the buyer of the child.

    Following detailed investigation and intelligence gathering, the joint team, alongside the child’s biological mother, Mrs. Maria Ogar, located and arrested both suspects. The stolen child, Purity Lehi Sunday (female, age 2), was found unharmed and was reunited with her mother at the Ogoja Police Station.

    Both suspects confessed to the crime during interrogation and have since been transferred to the State NAPTIP Office in Calabar for further investigation and prosecution under relevant laws.

    The Command is aware of a misleading video circulating on social media platforms regarding this incident. We wish to categorically state that the video misrepresents the facts and appears to be a deliberate attempt to discredit the Police and incite public unrest.

    The Cross River State Police Command urges social media influencers, bloggers, and content creators to adhere to responsible journalism ethics and verify facts before publication. The spreading of false or sensational narratives carries serious legal consequences and can hinder the course of justice.

    The Command remains unwavering in its commitment to protect lives, uphold the law, and combat crimes such as child trafficking across the State.

    SP Ugbo Irene, ANIPR
    Police Public Relations Officer
    For: Commissioner of Police
    Cross River State Command

  • UNHCR Takes Advocacy To Ogoja Urban To Mark 2021 World Refugees Day

    UNHCR Takes Advocacy To Ogoja Urban To Mark 2021 World Refugees Day

    By Elijah Ugani

    The United Nation High Commissioner for Refugees UNHCR, has taken advocacy to residents of Ogoja Urban as part of its plan of activities to mark the 2021 World Refugees Day WRD.

    The advocacy walk which commenced at 8.00am from the State High Court Ogoja through Zenith bank roundabout, to Mission road, through market road to Ishibori and back to the State High Court on Saturday, 19th June, 2021 had in attendance all implementing partners, representatives of National Commission for Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons, representatives of State Emergency Management Agency SEMA, Community Based Organizations, refugees and staff of UNHCR.

    Mr. Sally Osajie who anchored the walk sensitized the public at strategic locations, and maintained that “it is not a crime to be a refugee. We are on the streets of Ogoja to celebrate the refugees, please do not discriminate them. When they come to the market, give them equal opportunity, they are part of us”

    Speaking to The Lumine News, on the importance of the walk, the Head of Sub Office Ogoja, Mr. Tesfaye Bekele maintained that “We are to celebrate and commemorate with the refugees who are here seeking protection from the Nigerian government”.

    Speaking on them of the 2021 world refugees day, ‘Together we can achieve anything’ Mr. Tesfaye maintained that “There is nothing one alon can do, it is to show togetherness of the Nigerian government, the host communities, International communities and UNHCR to stand in solidarity with the refugees, to appreciate them for the courage they have to survive the difficult situation”

    On his part, the UNHCR Deputy Representative (Protection) Abuja, Mr. John Mekissick held that “We are here to celebrate the refugees. Nobody wants to be a refugee. Today and tomorrow, we celebrate their resilience, their ability to work together with the host communities, to learn, to hear and to shine. Together, we can achieve anything”