Abia State Police Command has arrested a father and three other suspects over an alleged attempt to sell his 16-month-old biological daughter for financial gain.
The suspects were apprehended by operatives of the State Criminal Investigation Department, Gender Unit, at a hotel in Obi, Obingwa Local Government Area, on September 7, 2026.
The baby was rescued during the operation and subsequently placed under the care of the Abia State Ministry of Women Affairs.
The Commissioner of Police, Wilfred Afolabi, disclosed the development on Friday while briefing journalists on the command’s achievements since he assumed office on August 10.
Afolabi said the four suspects had been transferred from the Central Police Station, Umuahia, for investigation over alleged conspiracy and child trafficking.
Preliminary findings, according to the commissioner, established that the child was the biological daughter of one of the suspects.
Police investigators are also examining the allegation that the proposed trafficking was motivated by the desire to obtain money.
The four suspects remain in police custody as investigations continue.
Beyond the child trafficking case, Afolabi said the Abia Command had recorded more than 152 criminal cases and arrested over 220 suspects since he assumed office.
He said several of the cases had already undergone investigation and been filed before the courts.
The commissioner also disclosed that police operations during the period led to the rescue of nine kidnapped victims and the recovery of 101 rounds of ammunition and cartridges.
The command also recovered six stolen vehicles, including tricycles and motorcycles, while two criminal networks were reportedly dismantled.
Afolabi further disclosed the rescue of a medical doctor who was allegedly kidnapped by armed men on August 19.
According to the commissioner, the victim was forced into his vehicle before the abductors drove towards Imo State.
The police subsequently deployed vehicle-tracking technology alongside intelligence operations involving the Abia and Imo State Police Commands.
The coordinated operation led to the recovery of the vehicle and the rescue of the doctor in the early hours of August 20.
The commissioner said several individuals allegedly connected to the doctor’s abduction had been arrested.
Among those arrested were persons suspected of assisting with the movement or distribution of ransom money.
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Police efforts are continuing to identify and apprehend other members of the alleged kidnapping network.
In another operation, the Abia Police Command arrested a suspect allegedly linked to an armed robbery and kidnapping incident along the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway in Aba.
The suspect was reportedly arrested after a female victim was attacked and robbed of a Toyota Highlander, mobile phones, handbag and other personal belongings.
The development forms part of the command’s ongoing operations against kidnapping, robbery and other violent crimes across the state.
