Abia police command has arrested ten suspects for alleged child theft and rescued 18 stolen children in coordinated raids across Aba

Abia child theft syndicate has been uncovered following a series of coordinated police operations that led to the arrest of ten suspects and the rescue of 18 stolen children in Aba.

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The Abia State Police Command disclosed the development in a statement issued by its Public Relations Officer, Maureen Chinaka, who confirmed that the breakthrough came after weeks of intelligence-led investigations.

According to the release, the case began on 27 September at about 9:40 a.m. when a woman from Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, lodged a complaint at the Ohuru Isimiri Divisional Headquarters.

She reported that she had travelled to Aba with her two children a boy and a girl after being lured by a man who promised marriage.

However, upon arriving in Aba, the man allegedly asked her to buy food while he stayed behind to watch over the children.

On her return, she discovered that both her children and the man had disappeared. All attempts to contact him proved futile.

The police subsequently launched a manhunt, which paid off on 8 October when officers, acting on credible intelligence, raided a residence in Aba suspected of harbouring stolen children.

Five suspects were arrested during the operation Mrs Best Ndubusi, Charles Enyinnaya, Eunice Ezekiel, Nnena Kalu, and Gideon Esther while one infant and seven children were rescued.

A follow-up operation on 9 October led officers to another residence along the Aba/Owerri Road, where more children were allegedly kept.

Four additional suspects Obiegbunam Von, Ezeoma Rejoice, Ngozi Owoh, and Favour Ernest were arrested. Seven infants and three children were rescued from the location.

Further intelligence on 10 October resulted in the arrest of another suspect, Brittney Onyemuwa Zion, with one more child recovered safely.

The Abia State Police Command said investigations are ongoing to trace other members of the syndicate and reunite all rescued children with their families.

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Chinaka reiterated the command’s commitment to dismantling trafficking networks and ensuring the safety of all residents, urging parents and guardians to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to the nearest police station.