Crystal Dike
The Anambra State Police Command has rescued a three-year-old girl in Nnobi, Idemili South Local Government Area, following a case of conspiracy, child theft, and illegal harbouring.
The child was allegedly stolen by Chioma Anioma, an apprentice working in the victim’s household. After realising that police operatives were closing in on her, Chioma reportedly sold the child and fled to Calabar, Cross River State, in an attempt to evade arrest.
The girl was abducted in Atani, Ogbaru Local Government Area, and later rescued in Nnobi, where she had been abandoned after being sold.
The recovery was disclosed in a press statement issued on Saturday by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga.
Ikenga stated that operatives of the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu, recovered the child in the early hours of Friday, following persistent, intelligence-led operations. The girl has since been safely reunited with her parents.
He said, in part:
“The Anambra State Police Command wishes to inform the public that operatives attached to the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu, successfully recovered a stolen three-year-old girl following a case transferred from Ogbaru Division, Atani, involving conspiracy, child stealing, and harbouring.
“The operatives rescued the child at Nnobi, Idemili South LGA, and have since reunited her with her parents.
“Preliminary investigations revealed the child was stolen by Miss Chioma Anioma, an apprentice in the victim’s family. Upon realising police were closing in, the suspect fled to Calabar after selling the child to another suspect who remains at large.
“To evade further police pursuit, Chioma abandoned the child at Nnobi before alerting the parents to her location.
“Intensive efforts continue to identify and arrest all suspects involved in the abduction and trafficking syndicate.”