Operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Imo State Police Command have arrested seven suspects for allegedly stealing a five-year-old child, Godday Obi.
The police spokesperson in the state, Orlando Ikeokwu, told punch correspondent on Tuesday in Owerri that the cops arrested 39-year-old Nkechi Iroegbu, who led the operatives to the hideout of the other members of the syndicate, where they were arrested.
He said the arrest of the suspects was part of the efforts and commitment of the command to dealing with issues of child trafficking in the state.
The police spokesperson added that the state Commissioner of Police, Olaniyi Fafowaro, had charged all the tactical heads of the command to deal with issues of child stealing and trafficking in the state.
Ikeokwu said the suspects were rounded up following a coordinated operation, which was aided by credible intelligence.
He stated, “On January 12, 2020, the command received the report of a stolen child, one Godday Obi, 5, at Umuejechi, Nekede, Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State.
“Acting on that report, the command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit swung into action and upon credible information, arrested one Nkechi Iroegbu, 39, a native of Akoli Imenyi in the Bende Local Government Area of Abia State, who confessed to the crime. .
“Sequel to the confession of Nkechi Iroegbu, the following suspects were arrested: Chukwudi Ndukwe; Edu Akpan of No. 102 Elelenwo Street, Port Harcourt, Rivers State; Chinwendu Uzonwu, 39, of Oba in Anambra State; Chinyeaka Gregory, 50, of No. 11 Boundary Road, Umungasi Aba; Chidinma Ekwundu, 49; from Awka in Anambra State; and Eucharia Onwuduba, 46, of No. 31 Aniekwe Street, Fegge, Onitsha, Anambra State.
“They all confessed to their various roles and led the operatives to the recovery of the stolen child.”
