Olusegun Ariyo
The Anambra State Police Command has arrested six persons, including a woman and her two brothers, for their alleged involvement in the abduction and trafficking of a three-year-old boy stolen from Umusiome, Nkpor Uno, in Idemili North Local Government Area, and sold in Lagos State.
The Command’s spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed in a statement on Sunday in Awka that the stolen child was successfully rescued in Lagos and has since been reunited with his family in good health.
Ikenga explained that the arrests followed a petition by the boy’s family after the child’s mother discovered that her son and a female neighbour she had entrusted him with were both missing from their residence in Umusiome.
“Following a petition received on September 4, operatives attached to the Gender Unit of the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, Awka, launched an intensive investigation which led to the arrest of the neighbour,” Ikenga said.
He added that the neighbour’s confession led to the subsequent arrest of her mother and two younger brothers, who were also implicated in the child trafficking network.
According to Ikenga, further investigation extended to Enugu State, where two additional suspects were apprehended for facilitating the movement of the abducted child to Lagos.
“The operatives later proceeded to Lagos State, where another suspect was arrested and the child recovered safely,” he stated.
Ikenga confirmed that all six suspects are currently in police custody and will be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations.
The Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, CP Ikioye Orutugu, reiterated the command’s determination to clamp down on all forms of criminal activity in the state.
He warned criminal elements to steer clear of Anambra, emphasising that the police remain fully committed to protecting lives and property and ensuring that offenders are brought to justice.
