Police Arrest Two Women Over Attempt to Sell Kidnapped 4-Year-Old in Imo

The Imo State Police Command has apprehended two women in connection with the abduction and attempted sale of a four-year-old boy in Owerri, the state capital.

Police spokesperson, DSP Henry Okoye, identified the suspects as Joy Ugwu, from Idah, Kogi State, and Rosella Michael, from the Zamba area of Abuja. A third suspect, said to be a nurse, remains at large.

According to the police, the child, Jaffa Umar, was abducted in Abuja while hawking vegetables and transported to Owerri, where the suspects allegedly planned to sell him for ₦2.7 million.

The arrest was made on April 14 following a coordinated undercover operation involving operatives from both the Imo State Police Command and the Zone 7 Police Headquarters in Abuja.

“The suspects brought the victim to Owerri and were in the process of selling him when they were intercepted,” said DSP Okoye. “The child, who speaks Hausa fluently, is now safe, and the investigation is ongoing.”

The case has been transferred to the Zonal Criminal Investigation Department (ZCID) in Abuja for further investigation and prosecution.

Meanwhile, Commissioner of Police, CP Aboki Danjuma, has reaffirmed the Command’s dedication to protecting vulnerable individuals, especially children, and intensifying the crackdown on child trafficking and related crimes.

He urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the police, emphasizing the importance of community cooperation in fighting crime.

For emergencies or reports, the public is advised to contact the Command via its emergency line: 0803 477 3600.