A 40-year-old woman, Onyinyechi Emeka, has been arrested by the Imo State Police Command for allegedly trafficking a 4-year-old boy stolen from Obohia, Abia State.
According to a statement by DSP Henry Okoye, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), the suspect was apprehended during a stop-and-search operation by officers at Okigwe Divisional Headquarters.
Investigations revealed that the child was stolen from his mother’s shop at No. 22 Chimezie Street, Abia State, and was being transported to a buyer in Ebonyi State.
How the Child Was Rescued
Police became suspicious when Onyinyechi Emeka falsely claimed the child was her sister’s son, but inconsistencies in her statements raised red flags.
“The child, displaying remarkable awareness, provided his father’s phone number, confirming his identity as a missing child reported in Abia State,” the police statement read.
Further investigations uncovered that the suspect had received N30,000 from a child trafficking syndicate to deliver the boy to an unknown buyer in Ebonyi State.
Ongoing Investigation to Track Down the Syndicate
The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for deeper investigations, with police intensifying efforts to track down other members of the syndicate.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Aboki Danjuma, has reinforced security checkpoints across the state, leading to major breakthroughs in combating child trafficking and organized crime.
He also urged parents and guardians to remain vigilant, ensuring their children’s safety, while calling on the public to report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station.
