Police Bust Child Trafficking Syndicate, Rescue Stolen Children In Enugu And Abia States

In a significant breakthrough, the Gender Unit of the State Criminal Investigation Department in Bayelsa State, in collaboration with other Police Operatives, successfully busted a child trafficking syndicate and rescued two stolen children. The rescue operation took place in Enugu and Abia States.

The two children, Success (female), aged four, and Prince (male), aged two, were abducted on the 19th of June 2023 from Igbogene, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. The suspects responsible for the abduction were identified as Sunday Aniele, 22 years old, and Chioma Obi, 24 years old.

According to a statement by SP Asinim Butswat, the spokesperson for the Bayelsa State Police Command, the criminals lured the innocent children away from their parents under the pretense of buying drugs for them. Unbeknownst to the parents, the children were taken out of the state to an undisclosed location.

The police launched a diligent investigation, spanning Delta, Anambra, Enugu, and Abia States, ultimately leading to the arrest of Sunday Aniele and Chioma Obi on the 7th of July 2023 in Ughelli, Delta State. Following this breakthrough, two more individuals, Kingsley Chimobi (28 years old) and Harriet Chukwu (36 years old), were apprehended on the 10th of July 2023 in Onitsha, Anambra State, for their involvement in the child trafficking syndicate.

The investigation continued, and the efforts of the police eventually led to the recovery of Success (4 years old) in Enugu on the 21st of July 2023 and Prince (2 years old) in Abangwa, Abia State, on the 22nd of July 2023.

Upon interrogation, the suspects confessed to receiving a sum of one million six hundred thousand Naira (N1,600,000) for trafficking the two children.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Tolani Alausa, has charged the investigating unit to expedite their inquiry and prepare to arraign the suspects in court. This swift and decisive action showcases the commitment of the Bayelsa State Police Command in combating child trafficking and ensuring the safety and security of the citizens. (CONTINUE READING HERE)