Police in Imo Rescue Stolen 3-Day Old Child

Posted by African Examiner Crime Watch, Latest Headlines, News Across Nigeria, News From The State Tuesday, August 23rd, 2016

By Ignatius Okpara

OWERRI, NIGERIA (AFRICAN EXAMINER) – A- 3-day old baby stolen by two suspected child thieves in Imo state, has been rescued by police.
The State Commissioner of Police Taiwo Lakanu narrated the baby was stolen almost 48-hours after his birth at the Chukwunonso Maternity in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of the state.

Disclosing this to newsmen in Owerri Monday, the CP said the baby was rescued the same day. He said officers attached to the Command swooped into action after the issue was reported at the station.

The prime suspect, identified as one Mrs. Ngozi Anyanwu, and her unnamed accomplice, were at the verge of selling off the baby when they were nabbed.

He said the law would take its full course and that the arrest of the suspects should serve as a deterrent to other child thieves operating in parts of the state, adding that it will also make them realize that no matter how smart they are, the hands of the law will catch up with them.

Said the CP: “Child stealing and trafficking still persist despite numerous warnings to people to desist from the devious act.

“My team, the entire Imo State Police Command, will not rest on its oars to ensure that criminal offenses are brought to its barest minimum in the state.

“It is so unfortunate that such barbaric behaviour still exists among our people.”

Responding to questions from newsmen, the suspect, Anyanwu, claimed that she stole the baby because the owner of the maternity home owed her some amount of money.

But the mother of the baby, Uchechi Ekwedike, 21, dismissed the claim, saying she was tricked by the culprits in order to steal her baby.

However, the baby has been reunited with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Oluebube Ekwedike, who hail from Umuezealaowerre Ehime Mbano LGA of the state.