The Akwa Ibom Police Command has successfully rescued a two-day-old baby and apprehended two traffickers who attempted to sell the infant for ₦800,000.
Timfon John, the Police Public Relations Officer, confirmed the operation in a statement released in Uyo on Monday.
According to John, the police intercepted a vehicle on the Nsit Atai-Oron Road, driven by a man accompanied by two women and a newborn baby. The operatives stopped the vehicle, leading to a series of investigations.
“The Akwa Ibom State Police Command, in its effort to protect lives and property, has intercepted a suspected child trafficking syndicate,” John said.
“Operatives of the command, while on patrol along the Nsit Atai-Oron Road, intercepted a Mazda vehicle with registration number YAB 454 AA. The vehicle was driven by one Bethel Anyanwu, a male, and had two female occupants along with a two-day-old baby.”
John further explained that the occupants failed to provide a satisfactory explanation for the baby’s presence, which led to further questioning.
“Following a series of interrogations, one Nasikpo Sonia Labere, a female, and Inemesit Okin Akpan, a female, confessed to being sent from Port Harcourt, Rivers, by one Waazor Godwin, a female, and one Lilian Duru, a female, to collect the baby from one Miss Grace Inyang in Oron.”
The police spokesperson also revealed that the investigation uncovered Alison Eduno’s involvement in connecting the buyer and the seller.
Additionally, the police arrested the baby’s grandmother and mother, identified as 55-year-old Grace Walter and 20-year-old Blessing Walter, both from Oti Oron. They admitted to attempting to sell the baby for ₦800,000.
John confirmed that all suspects are currently in police custody and will face charges in court once the investigation is complete.
