The Imo State Police Command has arrested a 40-year-old woman, Onyinyechi Emeka, from Isiala Ngwa South LGA, Abia State, for allegedly being in possession of a stolen five-year-old boy.
According to a press statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Henry Okoye, the suspect was apprehended by officers of the Okigwe Divisional Headquarters during a routine stop-and-search operation. During the encounter, Emeka initially claimed that the boy was her sister’s son. However, inconsistencies in her statements raised suspicion, prompting the officers to conduct further inquiries.
Investigations later revealed that the child had been stolen from his mother’s shop at No. 22 Chimezie Street, Obohia, Abia State. The breakthrough in identifying the child came when he, demonstrating remarkable awareness, provided his father’s phone number. This led to the confirmation that he was a missing child reported in Abia State.
Further probes exposed a larger child trafficking operation. According to the police, the suspect had received a sum of ₦30,000 from an unidentified syndicate to deliver the boy to a buyer in Ebonyi State. The syndicate, believed to be involved in organized child trafficking, remains at large as police intensify efforts to dismantle the network and bring those responsible to justice.
Speaking on the development, DSP Okoye stated that the suspect’s arrest is a significant achievement in the police command’s fight against child trafficking and other organized crimes. He highlighted that under the leadership of Commissioner of Police (CP) Aboki Danjuma, proactive security measures, including the reinforcement of security checkpoints, have been yielding positive results in ensuring the safety of residents.
The case has since been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigations. The police are working diligently to track down other members of the syndicate, while the suspect will face prosecution once investigations are completed.
In light of this incident, CP Aboki Danjuma has urged parents and guardians to remain vigilant and take extra precautions to safeguard their children. He also called on the public to be security-conscious, observe their surroundings, and report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station or directly to the Imo State Police Command.
The police reassured residents that they remain committed to eradicating criminal activities, particularly child trafficking, and will continue to implement measures to enhance public safety across the state.
