Police smash child trafficking syndicate, arrest robbery, kidnapping suspects

The police in Imo State have smashed a six-member child trafficking syndicate. Five of the six suspects were arrested and are being interrogated by operatives of the command.

Sixteen other suspects were arrested for armed robbery, four for kidnapping and five for cultism in the last few weeks.

The Police Commissioner, Rabiu Ladodo, said in Owerri that various types of weapons, including assault rifles were recovered from the suspects.

According to him, on February 8 at an undisclosed clinic along Nekede Road in Owerri West LGA, one Chinonye Oparaocha was delivered of a baby boy.

“The said Chinonye Oparaocha later conspired with one Confidence Anyanwu, a nurse and native of Umuhu Okwuato in Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area but resident at No. 41 Mbaise Road Owerri in company of her husband, Amaeze Anyanwu, (now at large) who carried the new born baby to Port Harcourt in Rivers State where one Duru Christian was waiting for them.

“He said on arrival at Port Harcourt, Duru Christian in company of one Mrs. George Iyowuna met them at the hideout, took over the baby boy and handed over to a prospective buyer, one Mrs. William Cynthia and her husband, who paid the sum of N850,000,” he said.

The suspects, he said, were arrested on April 13 and the baby was recovered while efforts are on to arrest the fleeing members of the syndicate.

He added that the suspects have made useful statements to the police concerning the crime and were helping them in the investigation.

The CP gave the names of the suspects as Chinonye Oparaocha, 23; Confidence, 28; Duru Christian, 38; George Iyowuna, 38 and William Cynthia, 44.

He appealed to members of the public to assist the police in nipping criminal activities in the bud.