The Abia State Police Command has arrested four suspects linked to the alleged theft and sale of a four-day-old baby taken from his mentally ill mother.
The suspects—Gladys Nathaniel, 48; Victor Udochukwu, 47; Chijioke Obunwa, 59; and Onyeonoro Chinwe, 43—were arrested on September 16, 2026, following credible intelligence, police said.
Operatives from the Violent Crimes Response Unit and the Rapid Response Unit in Obehie carried out the operation after investigating reports of child-stealing and trafficking, according to command spokesperson DSP Maureen Chinaka.
Chinaka stated that the suspects allegedly conspired to remove the newborn from his mother and sell the infant to another person. Both the baby and the mother were successfully rescued during the raid.
The mother has been released to her family for proper medical care and support, while the infant has been placed in the protective custody of the Abia State Ministry of Women Affairs.
The four suspects remain in custody as detectives at the State Criminal Investigation Department probe the circumstances of the alleged crime. Police said they will be charged to court once investigations are concluded.
Abia State Commissioner of Police Wilfred Olutokunbo Afolabi reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting vulnerable persons and ensuring those responsible face justice.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about child trafficking and the illegal sale of infants in parts of the South-East and South-South, where security agencies continue to target suspected networks.
Police have not released the identity of the person who allegedly bought the baby or further details of the transaction. The allegations against the four suspects remain under investigation.