Abia State Police Command has arrested six suspects linked to the theft and trafficking of three young children and successfully rescued the victims.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Maureen Chinaka, announced on Friday the arrest of six suspects: Onyinyechi Christopher, Ogechi Chidi, Chukwu Bernadette, Nnaji Patience, Abraham Ibiam, and Felix Ikechukwu.
The arrests followed a report received at Owerrinta Police Divisional Headquarters on 30/10/2025, stating that a father who had taken his three children—two boys and a girl—to school was later unable to locate them when they returned home.
Detectives in the Command, acting on actionable intelligence, arrested Onyinyechi Christopher (25) and Ogechi Chidi (31).
Preliminary investigations revealed that the children were lured by the suspects with biscuits and promises of soft drinks while on their way home from school.
The suspects reportedly handed the children over to 67-year-old Bernadette Chukwu, who transported them to Ebonyi State and sold them to 49-year-old Patience Nnaji, 54-year-old Felix Ikechukwu, and 57-year-old Abraham Ibiam, the police stated.
The rescued children have since been reunited with their parents, and the arrested suspects have been charged to court.
Abia State Police Commissioner, CP Danladi Isa, urged residents and school authorities to safeguard their children by establishing a clear plan for who is authorized to pick them up from school.