Abia police arrest four over alleged theft, sale of four-day-old baby
Abia State Police say four people have been arrested over the alleged theft and sale of a four-day-old baby.
Police say the baby and the child’s mother were rescued following an operation on September 16.
The infant has since been placed in protective custody with the Abia State Ministry of Women Affairs, while the mother was released to her family for care and medical attention.
The four arrested people remain suspects. The allegations against them have not been proved in court.
Police identify four suspects
Police identified those arrested as Gladys Nathaniel, 48; Victor Udochukwu, 47; Chijioke Obunwa, 59; and Onyeonoro Chinwe, 43.
According to the police account, operatives from the Violent Crimes Response Unit and Rapid Response Unit, Obehie, made the arrests after receiving intelligence.
Police allege that the suspects conspired to take the four-day-old baby and subsequently sell the infant to another person.
Those claims remain allegations under investigation.
Baby placed in protective custody
Police say both the baby and mother were rescued during the investigation.
The mother was released to her family for continued care and medical attention, while the newborn was handed to the state Ministry of Women Affairs for protective custody.
IDNN is withholding identifying details about the mother and baby because of their vulnerability and the child-protection issues involved.
Investigation continues
Police say the case is being investigated by the State Criminal Investigation Department and that the suspects will be charged after the investigation is completed.
An arrest does not establish guilt. Any allegations of child stealing, trafficking, conspiracy or sale remain subject to investigation and eventual court proceedings.
No response from the suspects or their legal representatives was available in the current source set reviewed by IDNN.
What happens next
The key developments to watch are the suspects’ formal charges, any court appearance, the welfare arrangements for the newborn and any further findings from the police investigation.
The accountability question is whether investigators can establish how the child was allegedly taken, who was involved at each stage and whether wider child-protection failures contributed to the incident.
