Workers Allegedly Try to Sell Boss’s 2-Year-Old Child Over Unpaid Salaries

Three workers in Cross River State have allegedly attempted to sell their employer’s two-year-old child as revenge after claiming they were owed months of unpaid salaries, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has disclosed.

Global Mirror News gathered that the disturbing incident occurred in Ogberia Ochoro Community, Ogoja Local Government Area of Cross River State, where the suspects allegedly took the toddler and attempted to move him to another location for sale.

The Head of Operations of the NAPTIP Cross River Command, Oba Joseph, disclosed the development while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Calabar on Thursday, August 27, 2026.

According to Joseph, NAPTIP received a report about the incident on Monday and immediately commenced investigations.

He said the suspects allegedly told investigators that they had worked for their employer for approximately three months without receiving their salaries.

The workers reportedly claimed that their decision to traffic the child was intended as revenge against their employer and as a way of recovering the money they believed they were owed.

However, the employer reportedly denied owing the workers for three months, telling NAPTIP that he had paid their salaries and that only the salary for August had not been paid because the month was still ongoing.

Farmer Foils Alleged Child Trafficking Plot

The alleged trafficking attempt was reportedly uncovered by a farmer who was returning from his farm when he noticed the three suspects moving suspiciously with the child.

Joseph said the farmer stopped the suspects and questioned them about the toddler.

One of them allegedly claimed that the two-year-old was his child, but the farmer reportedly became suspicious because the explanation did not appear convincing.

The farmer then raised an alarm, attracting the attention of other people in the Community.

According to NAPTIP, the suspects had already moved through about four Communities with the child before they were apprehended.

The toddler was subsequently recovered, while the suspects were taken into custody for questioning.

Conflicting Ages Complicate Investigation

NAPTIP is also investigating conflicting claims about the ages of the three suspects.

Joseph said Community records indicate that the suspects are aged 18, 19 and 27.

However, during their interaction with NAPTIP officials, the suspects reportedly claimed that they were 16, 17 and 25 years old.

The Agency has therefore contacted their parents to assist in establishing their actual ages.

Joseph explained that the age verification could have significant legal implications for the case.

If any of the suspects are confirmed to be below 18, they could be treated as children in conflict with the law, which could affect the manner in which the court handles their cases.

He stressed, however, that the conflicting ages would not diminish the seriousness of the alleged offence.

According to him, the alleged attempt to traffic the two-year-old remains the central issue being investigated, while the outcome of the age verification will determine the appropriate prosecution process.

NAPTIP Promises Prosecution

Joseph said investigations are continuing and that NAPTIP would prosecute the suspects after completing its investigation.

The Agency is expected to establish the precise circumstances surrounding the incident, the individual roles of the suspects and their actual ages before taking the matter to court.

The case has sparked concern over the dangers of child trafficking and the extreme consequences that can arise from disputes over unpaid wages.

Global Mirror News gathered that the incident also highlights the importance of promptly reporting suspicious movements involving children, particularly where individuals attempt to move a child away from his or her family or Community without a credible explanation.

NAN