Abia Police Rescue Four-Day-Old Baby, Arrest Four Over Alleged Theft, Trafficking

Abia Police Rescue Four-Day-Old Baby, Arrest Four Over Alleged Theft, Trafficking

The Abia State Police Command has rescued a four-day-old baby allegedly stolen from her mother and arrested four suspects over alleged child stealing, conspiracy and trafficking.

The suspects, identified as Gladys Nathaniel, 48; Victor Udochukwu, 47; Chijioke Obunwa, 59; and Onyeonoro Chinwe, 43, were arrested on September 16, 2026, following what the police described as credible and actionable intelligence.

The command’s spokesperson, DSP Maureen Chinaka, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Monday, saying operatives of the Violent Crimes Response Unit (VCRU) and the Rapid Response Unit (RRU), Obehie, carried out the arrests.

According to the police, preliminary investigations indicated that the four suspects allegedly conspired to take the newborn from her mother and subsequently sold the infant to another person.

The police said the suspects were apprehended following an investigation into the alleged baby theft and trafficking.

Both the baby and her mother were subsequently rescued, according to the command.

READ ALSO:

• UK Student Visa: 63 Countries Exempt From Proof of Funds, Nigeria Excluded
• Lagos Intensifies Surveillance as Adulterated Palm Oil Raises Food Safety Concerns
• Saudi Arabia Rejects Nigeria’s Request for More 2027 Hajj Slots

Chinaka said the mother, whom the police described as mentally unstable, had been released to her family for proper care and medical attention.

The newborn, however, was handed over to the Abia State Ministry of Women Affairs for protective custody.

The four suspects remain in police custody while the investigation continues at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID).

The police said the suspects would be charged to court after the conclusion of the investigation.

The development adds to recent cases involving the alleged trafficking of children in Abia State and the wider South-East region.

Earlier in September, the Abia Police Command reported the arrest of a man and three others over an alleged plan to traffic a 16-month-old child for financial gain. In that separate case, the suspects were transferred from the Central Police Station, Umuahia, for further investigation into alleged conspiracy and child trafficking.

The state command has also recently reported a wider crackdown on kidnapping and human trafficking. The Guardian reported that the command had, between August 10 and September 11, arrested more than 222 suspects in connection with over 152 reported cases, while nine kidnapping and human-trafficking victims were rescued during the period. That report also included the rescue of a one-year-old girl allegedly being targeted by suspected traffickers.

However, details about the alleged buyer of the four-day-old baby, the amount reportedly paid for the child, where the baby was taken from and how the police located the infant have not been publicly disclosed by the command.

The police have also not disclosed whether the alleged buyer has been identified or arrested.

Commissioner of Police in Abia State, Wilfred Olutokunbo Afolabi, reiterated the command’s commitment to protecting vulnerable persons and ensuring that anyone found responsible for the alleged crime is brought to justice.

The rescued baby remains under protective care while the police investigation continues.

Abia Police Rescue Four-Day-Old Baby, Arrest Four Over Alleged Theft, Trafficking