the police in Enugu StateSoutheastern Nigeria, they say they have dismantled a child stealing syndicate that specialized in stealing babies for ritualists in the state.
The Enugu State Police Spokesperson, Daniel Ndukwe, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.
Ndukwe, Deputy Superintendent of Police, said the police also arrested a syndicate member who attempted to rob a one-year-old girl in Igogoro village, Enugu Ezike, a community in Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area. of the state.
The police spokesperson said the suspect, Ifeanyi Omeke, 21, was arrested at about 1:30 pm on Friday by police officers serving in the Igbo-Eze Police Division in collaboration with members of a Group Neighborhood Watch of the community.
Attempted theft of a one-year-old baby
The police spokesperson said the suspect was arrested after he allegedly “snuck” into a home belonging to a resident of the community and attempted to steal the baby.
The suspect confessed to the crime and explained that he was hired by some unidentified people, now at large, to steal babies for ritual and other criminal purposes, according to the statement.
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Enugu State Police Commissioner Kanayo Uzuegbu ordered that the case be transferred to the state Criminal Investigation Department for thorough investigation, Ndukwe said.
Uzuegbu said the “thorough investigation” would lead to the arrest of other members of the criminal syndicate so that they could be prosecuted.
Banned in Nigeria
Theft of children is prohibited under Section 371 of the Nigerian Penal Code Act.
Under the law, violators can be punished with 14 years in prison if convicted.
