Operatives of the Imo State Police command have rescued two children from their female abductors in two separate incidents even as they rejected a ₦1million offer as a bribe.
Police spokesperson DSP Henry Okoye disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen yesterday.
Okoye disclosed that on February 4th 2025, operatives attached to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) arrested a 32-year-old woman, Confidence Odoh, of Umuanyo Eziobodo, Owerri West LGA, for abducting her ex-neighbor’s 3-year-old son, Nzubechi Ududiri, three days earlier, on February 1, 2025.
Confidence was alleged to have abducted little Nzubechi while he was playing within their house premises. However, the child has been reunited with his parents, Mr and Mrs Michael Ududiri.
In another development, police operatives on a routine stop-and-search operation on the Owerri-Aba express road nabbed 45 years old Eze Chika, a female of Obiokwara Umualoma, Ideato North local government area of Imo state, for being in the company of an abducted four years old boy.
Upon queries from the police operatives, Chika offered them ₦ 1 million to let her off the hook after she admitted that she bought the child for ₦ 1.8 million from a suspected child trafficking syndicate in Aba, Abia state.
Okoye said, „On February 4, 2025, detectives of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) arrested a 32-year-old woman, Confidence Odoh, of Umuanyo Eziobodo, Owerri West LGA, for abducting her ex-neighbour’s 3-year-old son, Nzubechi Ududiri, on February 1, 2025. Investigations revealed she stole the child while he was playing in the compound where he resides. The child was rescued and reunited with his parents, Mr and Mrs Ududiri Michael, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend possible accomplices.
In a separate development on February 21, 2025, operatives of the Safer Highway Unit, while conducting a robust stop-and-search along the Owerri-Aba express road, apprehended Eze Chika (45) of Obiokwara Umualoma, Ideato North LGA, found with a suspected stolen 4-year-old child. Initially, she claimed the child was hers but later admitted to purchasing the child from a suspected child trafficking syndicate in Aba for ₦1.8 million.
„In a desperate attempt to evade arrest, the suspect offered the officers a ₦1 million bribe, which was outrightly rejected. The officers proceeded with the lawful arrest and ensured the safe rescue of the child. Further investigations revealed possible links to a more extensive trafficking network, and more arrests are expected. Efforts are underway to identify the child‘s biological parents.
„The Imo State Police Command remains committed to combating child trafficking and other organised crimes. Residents, especially parents, are urged to monitor their children closely and report suspicious activities to the nearest Police Station or via 0803 477 3600, 08148024755“.
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