By Ade Oyeyemi
The Abia State Police Command has arrested four suspects over the alleged theft and sale of a four-day-old baby belonging to a woman described by the police as mentally challenged.
The suspects were identified as Gladys Nathaniel, 48; Victor Udochukwu, 47; Chijioke Obunwa, 59; and Onyeonoro Chinwe, 43.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Maureen Chinaka, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, saying the suspects were arrested on September 16 by operatives of the Violent Crimes Response Unit and the Rapid Response Unit in Obehie.
Chinaka said the arrests followed what the command described as credible and actionable intelligence concerning the alleged disappearance and sale of the infant.
According to the police spokesperson, preliminary investigations indicated that the suspects allegedly worked together to take the newborn from its mother and subsequently sold the child to another person.
“The suspects allegedly conspired to steal a four-day-old baby from her mentally unstable mother and subsequently sold the infant to another person,” the statement said.
The police said further investigation by its operatives led to the recovery of the baby and the rescue of the mother.
Chinaka said the woman had since been reunited with her family, who were advised to ensure she received appropriate care and medical attention.
The newborn, she added, was placed under the protective custody of the Abia State Ministry of Women Affairs.
“The baby and mother were rescued. The mother has been released to her family for proper care and medical attention, while the infant has been handed over to the Ministry of Women Affairs for protective custody,” Chinaka stated.
The four suspects are currently being held at the State Criminal Investigation Department as investigators continue to unravel the circumstances surrounding the alleged offence.
The PPRO said the suspects would be arraigned in court upon completion of the investigation.
The state Commissioner of Police, Wilfred Afolabi, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting vulnerable persons, particularly women and children, and ensuring that anyone found responsible for criminal activities faces the law.
The latest arrest comes amid renewed concerns over alleged child trafficking and illegal baby-selling operations in parts of the South-East and South-South.
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In August, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons reportedly sealed a residential building in Elelenwo, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, suspected of being used as an illegal maternity facility by a child-trafficking syndicate.
The agency also arrested the alleged owner of the facility and another worker over their suspected involvement in the operation.
