Police Rescue 2 Bayelsa Children Sold For N1.6m

Police operatives attached to the Gender Unit, State Criminal Investigation Department, Bayelsa State Police Command, have busted a child trafficking syndicate and rescued two stolen children in Enugu and Abia States.

The children, Success, female, four years and Prince, male, two years were stolen by one Sunday Aniele, 22 years old and Chioma Obi, 24 years old, on June 19, 2023, at Igbogene in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

In a statement signed by the police public relations officer, SP Asinim Buswat on Monday, Chioma Obi who claimed to be a sister of Sunday Aniele took the children away under the guise of purchasing drugs for them, unknown to their parents the children were taken out of the state to an unknown destination.

Buswat said after a diligent investigation by police operatives, crisscrossing Delta, Anambra, Enugu and Abia States, Aniele and Obi were arrested at Ughelli, Delta State on July 7, 2023.

He said, “Subsequently, one Kingsley Chimobi, 28 years, and Harriet Chukwu 36 years were arrested at Onitsha, Anambra State on July 10, 2023.

“Further investigation took the Police team to Enugu, where Success was recovered on 21st July 2023, and Abangwa, Abia State where Prince, 2 years old was recovered on 22 July 2023.

“The suspects have admitted to collecting N1.6 million for the two children.

“The commissioner of police Bayelsa State command, CP Tolani Alausa has charged the investigating unit to conclude its investigation and charge the suspects to court.”

Commenting on the development, the chairperson of the Gender Response Initiative Team, Dr. Dise Goddy-Harry, said, “This is a success story for the prosperity government as we have shown again that the safety and security of it’s citizens is our top priority”.