Police Nab Couple For Allegedly Selling Daughter For N450,000 In Akwa Ibom

Operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command have arrested two suspected child traffickers for luring a six-year old girl and taking her to an unknown destination.

The lady who lured the child was said to have carried out the nefarious act in connivance with her boyfriend , both of whom were arrested in Abuja.

The arrest followed a report made on 15th June, 2024 by a lady from Afaha Atai in Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area that one Christiana Uwem Ibanga, a female resident of Ekamba Nsukara in Uyo Council Area had lured her six year old daughter away from home.

Confirming the arrest, Timfon John, DSP, the spokesperson for the command said the operatives acting on credible intelligence swung into action and arrested Christiana Uwem Ibanga and her accomplice, Inyene Etuk Akpan, her boyfriend in Abuja on 14th January, 2025.

“During interrogation, the suspects admitted to selling their own child in May 2024 for ₦450,000 with the assistance of one Saviour Aniedi, ‘m’.

“Christiana further confessed to conspiring with Saviour Aniedi and his wife to steal the complainant’s child, who was later sold in Aba, Abia State, to an unidentified buyer.

“On 23rd January 2025, investigators extended their operations to Aba in pursuit of the buyer and the child.

“While the suspects in Aba remain elusive, the Command assures the public that substantial progress has been made.

“Our operatives are narrowing in on the perpetrators and their apprehension is imminent, ” the command’s Spokesperson stated.

Christiana and her boyfriend were among other suspected criminals paraded by the police command including suspected illicit drug dealers.

According to the command, on 26th January, 26, 2025, the operatives conducted a strategic raid targeted at identified black spots, including hotels, brothels, and specific compounds in Nto Nsek Village and its environs, aimed at clamping down on illicit drug activities and other crimes.

“The operation led to the arrest of a female suspect, one Happiness Malachi George, who was apprehended for engaging in the sale of Indian hemp and other substances.

” In a coordinated effort, the team also raided a Brothel in Ikot Ebong Village, Odoro Ikot Clan, where two female suspects, Queen Sambo Umoren, aged 28, and Joy Chima, Inyene-Obong Patrick Michael aged 28, was arrested and substances suspected to be Indian hemp were found in their possession and a jackknife.

“Furthermore, the team intercepted Ekemini-Abasi Micah Silas, ‘m’ 32, who was caught mounting an illegal roadblock at Ikot Ekpenyong Village in Odoro Ikot Clan.

“He was found with suspected illicit drugs. While some suspects managed to flee during the operation, proactive measures are in place to track and apprehend them,” the command stated.