Operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command have arrested a lady, Christiana Ibanga, and her boyfriend, Inyene Akpan, for allegedly trafficking their own child and selling the infant for ₦450,000.
Parading the suspects alongside others at the command headquarters, Ikot-Akpanabia, Uyo, the state capital, on Wednesday, the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, said they were nabbed following a tip-off.
According to the PPRO, the arrest was triggered by a complaint from a woman (name withheld), who alleged that Ibanga lured her six-year-old daughter and took her to an unknown destination.
“On 15 June 2024, a woman from Afaha Atai Village, Ibesikpo Asutan LGA, reported that one Christiana Uwem Ibanga of Ekamba Nsukara Village, Uyo LGA, lured her six-year-old daughter away to an undisclosed location.
“Acting swiftly, our operatives launched an investigation and arrested Ibanga and her boyfriend, Inyene Etuk Akpan, on 14 January 2025, in Abuja,” John said.
During interrogation, the suspects reportedly confessed to selling their own child in May 2024 for ₦450,000 with the help of one Saviour Aniedi.
Ibanga further admitted to conspiring with Aniedi and his wife to steal the complainant’s child, who was later sold in Aba, Abia State, to an unidentified buyer.
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has since launched a manhunt in Aba to locate the buyer and rescue the stolen child.
“On 23 January 2025, our investigators extended their operations to Aba in pursuit of the buyer and the missing child. While the suspects in Aba remain elusive, we have made significant progress, and their arrest is imminent,” the PPRO added.
She warned criminals operating in the state to either turn a new leaf or face the full wrath of the law.
Meanwhile, the command has intensified its crackdown on illicit drug dealers and criminal hideouts, leading to multiple arrests.
During the raid, a female suspect, Happiness George, was apprehended for allegedly selling Indian hemp and other illicit substances.
Similarly, at a brothel in Ikot Ebong Village, Odoro Ikot Clan, two women, Queen Sambo Umoren (28) and Joy Chima, were arrested with substances suspected to be Indian hemp and a jackknife.
Also, Ekemini-Abasi Silas (32) was caught mounting an illegal roadblock at Ikot Ekpenyong Village, where he was found with suspected illicit drugs.
