The Abia State Police Command has rescued a four-day-old baby and her mentally challenged mother from a four-member child theft and trafficking syndicate.
A statement from the command’s spokesperson, DSP Maureen Chinaka, gave the names of the suspects as Gladys Nathaniel 48, Victor Udochukwu 47, Chijioke Obunwa 59 and Onyeonoro Chinwe 43.
Chinaka said that while acting on credible and actionable intelligence, operatives of the Violent Crimes Response Unit (VCRU), Rapid Response Unit (RRU), Obehie, on September 16 arrested the suspects for conspiracy, child stealing and trafficking.
She said the suspects allegedly conspired to steal a 4-day-old baby from her mentally unstable mother and subsequently sold the infant to another person. She mentioned that they were apprehended following a diligent police investigation.
Chinak said while the mother has been released to her family for proper care and medical attention, the infant has been handed over to the Ministry of Women Affairs for protective custody.
She said the suspects are currently in Police custody, and investigation is ongoing at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), after which they will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.