Godsent Ogbebor
Operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command have arrested a woman, Christiana Ibanga, and her boyfriend, Inyene Akpan, for allegedly trafficking their own child and selling the infant for ₦450,000.
The suspects were paraded at the command headquarters in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on Wednesday. The arrest followed a tip-off from a woman (name withheld) who reported that Ibanga had lured her six-year-old daughter away to an unknown location.
According to Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, an investigation was launched, leading to the suspects’ arrest on January 14, 2025, in Abuja. During interrogation, the couple confessed to selling their child in May 2024 for ₦450,000 with the help of an accomplice, Saviour Aniedi, who is now being pursued by the police.
Ibanga further admitted to conspiring with Aniedi and his wife to steal the complainant’s child, who was later sold in Aba, Abia State, to an unidentified buyer. The police have launched a manhunt in Aba to locate the buyer and rescue the stolen child.
In addition, the police have intensified efforts to combat crime in the state, including cracking down on illicit drug dealers and criminal hideouts, leading to several arrests.
