Imo State Police Command has arrested two suspected child traffickers in connection with the abduction of a four-year-old boy .
The police spokesman, Henry Okoye, who disclosed this in a statement Thursday in Owerri, said the victim identified as Jaffa Umar, was allegedly abducted while he was hawking vegetables in Abuja.
Okoye said the suspects, Joy Ugwu from Idah, Kogi State, and Rosella Michael from Zuba area of Abuja, allegedly brought the victim to Owerri, where they were negotiating his sale for N2.7 million before they were apprehended.
The police spokesperson disclosed that the third suspect, who is believed to be a nurse, is currently at large and that the victim had been reunited with his family.
“Investigations revealed that the boy, Jaffa Umar, who speaks Hausa fluently, was abducted in Abuja while hawking vegetables.
“The suspects brought him to Owerri and were negotiating to sell him for N2.7 million before their arrest. A third accomplice, believed to be a nurse, is currently at large,” Okoye said.
He reiterated the command’s commitment to protect vulnerable persons in the state, while urging residents to report suspicious activities to the nearest police station.
“The child has been safely reunited with his family through coordinated efforts between the state police command and Zone 7 Police Headquarters, Abuja, while the suspects have been transferred to the Zonal Criminal Investigation Department, ZCID, Abuja for further investigation and prosecution.
“The Commissioner of Police, CP Aboki Danjuma, reassures the public of the command’s commitment to protect vulnerable persons and dismantle trafficking networks.
“He encourages residents to report suspicious activities to the nearest police station or via the emergency line 0803 477 3600,” he added.
