The Abia State Police Command has arrested four suspects for conspiracy, child stealing and trafficking after allegedly stealing a four-day-old baby from her mentally-ill mother.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the command, DSP Maureen Chinaka, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday.
The suspects comprising two males and two females were identified as Gladys Nathaniel, 48; Victor Udochukwu, 47; Chijioke Obunwa, 59; and Onyeonoro Chinwe, 43.
According to the police, operatives of the Violent Crimes Response Unit (VCRU), Rapid Response Unit (RRU), Obehie, acting on credible and actionable intelligence arrested the suspects on September 16.
“The suspects allegedly conspired to steal a 4-day-old baby from her mentally unstable mother and subsequently sold the infant to another person. They were apprehended following diligent police investigation,” Chinaka said.
She disclosed that the baby and mother have been rescued, adding that 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.
“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,” she said.
The Commissioner of Police, Abia State Command, CP Wilfred Olutokunbo Afolabi, reiterated the command’s commitment to protecting vulnerable persons and ensuring that perpetrators of such heinous crimes are brought to justice.