July 24, (THEWILL) – Operatives of the Bayelsa State Police Command have rescued two kids – a boy and a girl – abducted from Bayelsa in Abia and Enugu States.
The Police Operatives, attached to the Gender Unit, State Criminal Investigation Department, State Police Command busted a child trafficking syndicate.
The Children, Success, ‘f’, 4 and Prince, ‘m’, 2, were stolen by one Sunday Aniele, ‘m’ 22 and Chioma Obi, ‘f’ 24, on June 19, 2023, at Igbogene, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
Chioma Obi, who claimed to be Sunday Aniele’s sister, took the children away under the guise of purchasing drugs for them, unknown to their parents, the children were taken out of the State to an unknown destination.
After a diligent investigation by Police Operatives, crisscrossing Delta, Anambra, Enugu, and Abia States, Sunday Aniele and Chioma Obi were arrested at Ughelli, Delta State, on July 7, 2023.
Subsequently, one Kingsley Chimobi, ‘m’ 28 and Harriet Chukwu, ‘f’ 36, were arrested in Onitsha, Anambra State, on July 10, 2023.
Further investigation took the Police team to Enugu, where Success was recovered on the 21st of July, while Prince was recovered on 22 July, 2023, in Abangwa, Abia State.
The Suspects have admitted to collecting one million, six hundred thousand Naira only, for the two children.
The Commissioner of Police, Bayelsa State Command, CP Tolani Alausa, has charged the investigating unit to conclude its investigation and charge the suspects to court.
Commenting on the development, the Chain of the Gender Response Initiative Team, Dr Dise Goddy-Harry, said, “This is a success story for the prosperity Government, as we have shown again that the safety and security of our citizens is our top priority.
“We are also impressed with the cooperation of all key actors in the eventual release of the children. From His EXCELLENCY to Her EXCELLENCY, the commissioner of women’s affairs, Mrs Faith Opene, to all the non Governmental Organisations that made inputs to the eventual release of the children only goes to show that in unity we can make Bayelsa State a safe space for everyone.
“We shall as a team provide psycho socio support to the children who have stayed away from their parents for this long. We are also calling on the commandant, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons Bayelsa to conclude their investigation in collaboration with the Bayelsa State Police commandant and charge the culprits to court.”
