The police command in Akwa Ibom has detained a couple over suspected child trafficking.
The suspects, Christiana Ibanga and her boyfriend, Inyene Akpan, were apprehended for allegedly selling their own child for N450,000.
A police spokeswoman, Timfon John, said at a news conference in Uyo that the case was reported by some residents.
Ms John said on June 15, 2024, the police got an intelligence report that a woman took her six-year-old daughter to an undisclosed location.
“Acting promptly on credible intelligence, our operatives swung into action and arrested the suspects on January 14 in Abuja.
“During interrogation, the suspects admitted to selling their own child for N450,000 with the assistance of an ally, Saviour Aniedi, in May 2024.
“On January 23, our investigators extended their operations to Aba in Abia in pursuit of the buyer and the missing child,” she said.
The spokesman said the police had made significant progress in the matter, assuring that the other suspects would soon be apprehended.
She further said that the command had intensified its crackdown on illicit drug dealers and criminal hideouts in Akwa Ibom.
Ms John said a female suspect, Happiness George, was apprehended for allegedly selling Indian hemp and other illicit substances.
She said that two other women, Queen Umoren and Joy Chima, were nabbed with illicit drugs at a brothel in Ikot Ebong Village, Odoro Ikot Clan.
The command spokeswoman warned criminals operating in the state to desist or face the full wrath of the law.
(NAN)
