The Abia State Police Command has arrested four suspects over the alleged theft and trafficking of a four-day-old baby who was reportedly taken from her mentally ill mother and sold to another person.
The suspects, identified as Gladys Nathaniel, 48; Victor Udochukwu, 47; Chijioke Obunwa, 59; and Onyeonoro Chinwe, 43, were arrested on September 16, 2026.
The Police Public Relations Officer of the command, DSP Maureen Chinaka, said the suspects comprised two males and two females.
According to her, operatives of the Violent Crimes Response Unit and Rapid Response Unit, Obehie, arrested the suspects following credible and actionable intelligence.
Chinaka said preliminary investigations indicated that the suspects allegedly conspired to steal the four-day-old baby from her mentally unstable mother and subsequently sold the infant to another person.
She added that the suspects were apprehended following diligent police investigation.
The police said both the baby and her mother were rescued.
The mother has since been released to her family for proper care and medical attention, while the infant was handed over to the Ministry of Women Affairs for protective custody.
The four suspects are currently in police custody, while investigation continues at the State Criminal Investigation Department.
The police said the suspects would be charged to court after the conclusion of investigations.
The Commissioner of Police in Abia State, CP Wilfred Olutokunbo Afolabi, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting vulnerable persons and ensuring that those responsible for the alleged crime are brought to justice.
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