Police in Umuahia, the Abia State capital, has rescued a four-year-old boy, identified as Obinna Ozuoba, from child traffickers.
The two suspects include 30-year-old Rowland Egbe, and a 50-year-old woman, Chioma Ohajinmmadu, suspected to be the boy’s would-be buyer.
The boy, who was lured with biscuits by the suspects, has been taken back to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Uzoma Ozuoba.
The State Police Commissioner, Leye Oyebade, while paraded the suspects at the Police Officers Mess over the weekend, said Rowland Egbe was arrested at Obehie in Ukwa West Council, while taking the abducted boy to the would-be buyer.
Oyebade said on interrogation, the suspect admitted that he abducted the boy. He then led the police to 16, Uchelekwa Street by Ohanku Road, Aba, where Chioma was arrested.
The police commissioner described child trafficking as a “crime against humanity,” and vowed that his men would fight the cartel until they were conquered.
He urged persons interested in adopting children to follow legal process.
Egbe confessed to have sold a female child to Chioma through a middle-man earlier, and was paid N50,000 out of the agreed price of N150,000.
However, Chioma wanted a male child, hence his attempt to take Obinna to the middle-man and collect the balance of the agreed price.
He said that he knew the boy’s parents and the boy knew him, which was why he easily followed him.
The female suspect, Chioma, said she approached Egbe through the middle-man, now at large. She said she had only female children and was desirous of having a male child.
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