The Abia State Police Command says it has arrested six suspects in connection with the robbery and trafficking of three young children, adding that it also rescued the three children.
A press release issued by the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Maureen Chinaka, listed the names of the arrested suspects as Onyinyechi Christopher, Ogechi Chidi, Chukwu Bernadette, Nnaji Patience (female), Abraham Ibiam and Felix Ikechukwu.
According to her, on 30/10/2025 a report was received at the Owerrinta Police Division 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. However, upon returning home, he could not find them.
The police statement said detectives from the Command took advantage of actionable information to arrest Onyinyechi Christopher (female, 25 years old) and Ogechi Chidi (female, 31 years old).
“Preliminary investigation revealed that while the children were returning home from school that day, they met 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 old), who in turn transported them to Ebonyi State and sold them to Patience Nnaji (female, 49 years old), Felix Ikechukwu (male, 54 years old) and Abraham Ibiam (male, 57 years old),” the police said.
Disclosing that the rescued children have been reunited with their parents and the arrested suspects charged to court, the Police Commissioner of Abia State Command, CP Danladi Isa, advised residents and school authorities to ensure the safety of their wards and pupils by having a clear plan on who picks them up and brings them from school.