The Abia State Police Command has arrested four suspects for conspiracy, child stealing and trafficking in the state.
The suspects were identified as Gladys Nathaniel, 48, Victor Udochukwu, 47, Chijioke Obunwa, 59, and Onyeonoro Chinwe, 43.
The Command disclosed this in a press release issued on September 21, 2026, by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Maureen Chioma Chinaka.
According to the statement, operatives of the Violent Crimes Response Unit, Rapid Response Unit, Obehie, acting on credible and actionable intelligence, arrested the suspects on September 16, 2026.
The police 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.
“They were apprehended following diligent police investigation,” the statement said.
The Command said the baby and her mother were rescued.
“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,” Chinaka stated.
She said the suspects are currently in police custody and investigation is ongoing at the State Criminal Investigation Department, after which they will be charged to court.
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.
