10-Yr-Old Arrested For Child Theft In Anambra

Ten-year-old Master Chinedu Adom of Umuozu village, Nwangele Local Government Area of Imo State, and one Chinecherem Odurukwe, 19, of Ogboro Isiala village, Ihiala, were weekend arrested for allegedly stealing a child in Anambra.

Their arrest followed a complaint lodged on 22/01/2021 at Ihiala Police Station by one Mrs Charity Ogochukwu Azubuike of Afam Ezialla village, Ihiala. Mrs Azubuike, THE WHISTLER gathered, reported to the police that her two year old son, Master Testimony Obiajulu Azubuike, missed inside the market.

CSP Haruna Mohammed, the police public relations officer, Anambra State Police Command, said following the report, “Police detectives commenced investigations, and on 23rd January, 2021, two suspects were arrested in Imo State in collaboration with the Imo State Police Command.”

He added that, “The principal suspect usually uses the ten-year-old suspect to lure children using biscuits either in the markets, schools, or other isolated places and takes them to Imo State where he sells them at the paltry sum of N100, 000 only.

“The suspects have voluntarily confessed to the crime, and the rescued child is in good health condition. He has been reunited with his parent. The case is under investigations, and efforts are ongoing to apprehend other accomplices in order to bring them to justice.”

Meanwhile, the state commissioner of police, CP John B. Abang, Sunday, urged parents and guardians to always monitor their children and wards, and educate them against collecting items or following strangers in order not to fall victims of child stealing syndicates.