Imo Police Dismantle Child Theft Ring, Rescue 20-Month-Old Girl
The Imo State Police Command has busted a child trafficking syndicate and rescued a 20-month-old girl, Chimamanda Joy, who was stolen from her visually impaired mother, Mrs. Joy Ekwennaya.
The operation, carried out by the Command’s X-Squad Unit, led to the arrest of four suspects involved in the child theft, which was first reported by Mrs. Ekwennaya on April 8, 2025. The suspects allegedly lured her to Umuahia, Abia State, with false promises of financial support from a bogus charity organisation.
In a statement on Thursday, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Henry Okoye, revealed that the breakthrough came after weeks of investigation. Acting on credible intelligence, detectives arrested 63-year-old Maria Nwaeze and 29-year-old Rejoice Odimba, both from Abia State, on May 23.
Read Also:
Interrogations led officers to a follow-up operation in Aba on May 27, where the stolen child was recovered. Another suspect, Chioma Theresa (42), from Aboh Mbaise in Imo State, was apprehended during the operation. She confessed to purchasing the child for ₦1.5 million from one Gabriel Amarachi (41), who posed as a social welfare officer.
Further investigation revealed that the abduction was masterminded by a couple identified as Precious and her husband, who remain at large. The couple orchestrated the fraudulent invitation that led the victim to Aba.
The police confirmed that the rescued child has undergone medical checks and was reunited with her mother on May 28, after proper documentation.
Commending the officers involved, the Commissioner of Police, CP Aboki Danjuma, assured residents of the Command’s commitment to protecting vulnerable persons and bringing criminals to justice. He urged the public to report suspicious activities promptly through official emergency channels.
By PRNigeria
