The police in Anambra State have rescued 12 children allegedly stolen and offered for sale.
It was gathered that an arrangement was made to sell the children for between N200,000 and N400,000 each to a trafficker before the deal was busted.
A 55-year-old woman, Nkechi Odinye, was on Tuesday arrested in Obosi in the Idemili North Local Government Area of the state for her alleged involvement in the deal.
Odinye was nabbed following the arrest of her accomplices, who allegedly confessed that they brought stolen children for her to buy at the rate of between N200,000 and N400,000, depending on their ages and gender.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Haruna Mohammed, confirmed the incident.
The PPRO said three accomplices of had been arrested, while the police rescued 12 children, comprising eight boys and four girls of various ages.
He added that the children were under protective care and investigation was ongoing.
Mohammed stated:
“Following intelligence report, police detectives attached to the Anambra State Command arrested three female suspects at the Nkpor Market/Tarzan junction in the Idemili North LGA of Anambra State.
“Investigation revealed that the children were stolen from Gombe State by one Hauwa Musa and brought to her accomplices in Anambra State.
“Following the public announcement by the command, parents of two of the kids from Gombe State came to Awka and identified their children.
“Upon interrogation, the suspects voluntarily confessed that they usually steal the children and bring them to their sponsor, one Mrs Nkechi Odinye, who allegedly buys the children in Anambra State between N200,000 and N400,000, depending on their ages and gender.
“Following the confession and while acting on a tip-off, police detectives attached to the 3-3 Division, Onitsha, in collaboration with operatives attached to the command’s Special Anti-Cult Section, stormed the hideout of the principal suspect, one Nkechi Odinye, 55, and effected her arrest at Obosi in the Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State.”
Mohammed enjoined those whose children were either stolen or missing to report at the 3-3 Police Station, Onitsha, for proper identification and claim their children.
