Police arrest six over child theft, trafficking; rescue three children in Abia

The Abia State Police Command has arrested six suspects for alleged child stealing and trafficking and successfully rescued three children.

The Command’s spokesperson, DSP Maureen Chinaka, disclosed this in a statement on Friday, November 7, 2025, noting that the rescued children have since been reunited with their families.

Those arrested include Onyinyechi Christopher (25), Ogechi Chidi (31), Chukwu Bernadette (67), Nnaji Patience (49), Abraham Ibiam (57), and Felix Ikechukwu (54). Their arrests followed a report lodged by the children’s father.

According to DSP Chinaka, the victims were returning home from school when Onyinyechi Christopher and Ogechi Chidi lured them with biscuits and promises of soft drinks. The suspects later handed the children over to Chukwu, who transported them to Ebonyi State, where they were sold to Nnaji, Ikechukwu, and Ibiam.

“On 30/10/2025, a report was received at Owerrinta Police Divisional Headquarters that on the same date, a father who had taken his three children (two boys and a girl) to school later went to pick them up, only to be informed that the children had gone home. Upon returning home, he could not find them,” the statement read.

“Leveraging on actionable intelligence, detectives of the Command apprehended Onyinyechi Christopher (female, 25 years) and Ogechi Chidi (female, 31 years).

“Preliminary investigation revealed that while the children were on their way home from school that day, they encountered Onyinyechi Christopher and Ogechi Chidi, who lured them with biscuits and promised them soft drinks if they followed them, the suspects then took the children to Bernadette Chukwu (female, 67 years), who in turn transported them to Ebonyi State and sold them to Patience Nnaji (female, 49 years), Felix Ikechukwu (male, 54 years) and Abraham Ibiam (male, 57 years).

“The children have been rescued and reunited with their families, while the suspects have been charged to court.

“The Commissioner of Police, Abia State Command, CP Danladi Isa, advises the good people of Abia State as well as school authorities to ensure the security of their wards and pupils by having a clear plan for who takes and brings them from school. School authorities are further advised to properly verify and interview any persons coming to pick up pupils or students from school and educate pupils/students on security tips during routine morning Assemblies.

“ He also encourages the public to promptly report any suspicious persons, activities or any security challenges to the nearest police station or through the Command’s emergency contacts: 08035415405, 08079210004, 08079210005, 08079210006.”