Police rescue kidnapped 5-year-old boy who provided his father’s phone number
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“The child, displaying remarkable awareness, provided his father’s phone number, leading to his identification as a missing child reported in Abia State” – police.
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A five-year-old boy stolen in Abia has been rescued by police in Imo who also arrested the alleged trafficker, Onyinyechi Emeka, a 40-year-old woman from Isiala Ngwa South Council of Abia.
Imo Police Command Public Relations Officer DSP Henry Okoye, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, disclosed that Emeka was arrested by personnel from Okigwe Divisional Headquarters during a stop and search operation.
He said investigation revealed that the child was stolen from his mother’s shop at 22 Chimezie Street, Obohia, in Abia, with the suspect initially claiming that the boy was her sister’s son, but inconsistencies in her statements raised suspicion.
“The child, displaying remarkable awareness, provided his father’s phone number, leading to his identification as a missing child reported in Abia State,” Okoye disclosed in a statement.
“Further investigation revealed that the suspect had collected the sum of N30,000 from a syndicate that remains at large to deliver the child to a buyer in Ebonyi State.”
According to him, the arrest of the suspect has helped boost efforts in combating child trafficking and other organised crimes.
Okoye stressed that Police Commissioner Aboki Danjuma, in collaboration with sister agencies, has implemented proactive strategies, including reinforcement of security checkpoints, which have directly led to significant achievements in safeguarding Imo.
He said the current case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation to apprehend other syndicate members, adding that the suspect would face prosecution upon conclusion of investigation.
“CP Aboki Danjuma urges parents and guardians to remain vigilant and ensure the safety of their children.
“The public is advised to be security-conscious, observe their surroundings, and report any suspicious activity to the nearest police station or contact the Imo State Police Command.”
The child being held by a police officer.
– Daily Post.
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