Police Rescue Newborn Baby In Akwa Ibom, Arrest Child Traffickers.
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has successfully rescued a two-day-old baby from an attempted trafficking operation and arrested several suspects linked to the crime.
The command’s spokesperson, DSP Timfon John, revealed in a statement issued yesterday in Uyo that police operatives intercepted a vehicle along the Nsit Atai-Oron Road containing three adults and the newborn.
According to the statement, the vehicle—a Mazda with registration number YAB 454 AA—was driven by a man identified as Bethel Anyanwu and carried two female passengers. Upon questioning, the occupants were unable to provide a credible explanation for being in possession of the infant.
“Operatives of the command, in their continued efforts to protect lives and property, intercepted a suspected child trafficking syndicate while on routine patrol,” DSP John said.
Further investigations revealed that one of the female suspects, Nasikpo Sonia Labere, along with Inemesit Okin Akpan, confessed that they had been sent from Port Harcourt, Rivers State, by two women identified as Waazor Godwin and Lilian Duru. Their mission was to collect the baby from a woman named Miss Grace Inyang in Oron.
John added that another individual, Alison Eduno, had acted as the intermediary connecting the buyer and the seller.
In a shocking twist, the baby’s grandmother, Grace Walter (55), and the baby’s mother, Blessing Walter (20), both residents of Oti Oron, were also arrested. They admitted to selling the infant for the sum of ₦800,000.
The rescued baby has since been handed over to the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare for care and protection pending the conclusion of the investigation.
“All suspects are currently in police custody and will be charged to court upon the completion of the investigation,” the police spokesperson confirmed.
The Akwa Ibom Police Command reaffirmed its commitment to combating child trafficking and protecting the most vulnerable members of society.
