The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has foiled a coordinated attempt by a child trafficking syndicate to sell a two-day old baby for N800,000.
A statement on Monday, April 21, 2025, from the Command’s spokesperson, Timfon John, DSP, said the baby was rescued, following the interception of a vehicle along Nsit Atai-Oron Road with three occupants – a male and two female together with the baby.
The occupants of the vehicle, according to the Police, were subsequently arrested following their failure to convincingly explain the status of the new born baby in their custody.
“The Akwa Ibom State Police Command, in its efforts to protecting lives and property has intercepted suspected child trafficking syndicate.
“Operatives of the Command, while on patrol along the Nsit Atai-Oron Road, intercepted a Mazda vehicle with registration number YAB 454 AA.
The vehicle was driven by one Bethel Anyanwu, a male, and had two female occupants along with a two-day old baby.
Upon interrogation, the occupants could not provide a satisfactory explanation regarding the infant.
Following series of interrogations, one Nasikpo Sonia Labere, a female, and Inemesit Okin Akpan, a female confessed to being sent from Port Harcourt Rivers State.
“They were allegedly sent by one Waazor Godwin, a female, and one Lilian Duru, a female to collect the baby from one Miss Grace Inyang in Oron”, part of the Police statement reads.
According to the Police, one Alison Eduno was the facilitator of the heinous transaction, between buyer and seller.
Similarly, the mother of the baby, 20-year old Blessing Walter, and her mother Grace Walter 55 , both admitted selling the infant for N800 ,000.
Both are also cooling their heels in Police custody, as the case with other arrested members of the trafficking gang.
The Police spokesperson while assuring that the culprits will be arraigned as soon as investigations are completed, also stated that the rescued baby has been handed over to the State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare pending the conclusion of investigations.
