Police rescue baby bought for N1.7m, arrest 4 in Anambra

By Musa Kutama, Calabar

Four women were arrested on Tuesday, October 28, by the Anambra State Police Command for alleged conspiracy and child trafficking, of a week-old baby girl, rescued by the operatives attached to the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu.

The arrested suspects were identified as Elizabeth Okafor, 62; Esther Nweke, 48; Ngozi Maanfa, 45 and Peace Elijah Moses, 25.

Reports have it that the operatives, who acted on credible intelligence, stormed a location referred to as Mama Maternity, situated at Ifite-Awkuzu, Oyi Local Government Area.

Confirming the incident to journalists, in a statement, the Command’s PPRO, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said that preliminary investigation had revealed that the suspects conspired among themselves and allegedly bought the newborn baby girl, for ₦1.7 million.

According to the PPRO, the suspects had reportedly paid an advance of ₦350,000 to the purported biological mother of the child, identified as Peace Elijah Moses, who is among the arrested persons.

“The baby girl has been safely rescued and is currently under protective care, while the Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Ikioye Orutugu, has ordered the immediate transfer of the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) Gender Unit, Awka, for discreet investigation and necessary prosecution.

The Commissioner of Police also reaffirmed the Command’s unwavering commitment to the protection of children and the ongoing fight against all forms of human trafficking in the state.