In Akwa Ibom, police apprehend two women for stealing and the trafficking of three children.

Alayodi Onyekwere and Peace Paul were detained by Akwa Ibom State Police Command’s Anti-Child Theft Unit for the theft and trafficking of two toddlers.

Odiko MacDon, the State Police Public Relations Officer, stated in Uyo Wednesday that the Command had arrested three kidnap suspects.

“August, 2023, Anti-Child Theft Command Operatives arrested one Peace Patrick Paul (female) who deceived one Utibeabasi Monday Enang, both of Obot Akara Local Government Area (LGA), and stole her two children, aged 3 and 5, in the month of May, 2023,” MacDon reported.

“According to the said Peace Patrick Paul, the two children were sold to one Mary Eunice in Aba, Abia State, who then sold them to one Bella Uko in Asaba, Delta State.”

“Likewise, one Alayodi Paul Onyekwere (female) of Aboloma, Rivers State was apprehended for stealing the 11-year-old daughter of one Mr Macauley Daniel of Ikot Ikot Village in Obot Akara L.G.Area.”

“Suspect alleged to have been sent by her grandmother to steal the child from Rivers, which she led Operatives to recover.” The children have arrived and will be reunited with their families today. The Command appreciates Yak Iyamma and Arise, Frontline Abolition of Trafficking in Persons Project’s participation.”

On the kidnap case, the PPRO narrated that, “20th July 2023, at about 7:00pm, operatives of Ukanafun Division of the Command, relying on credible information stormed Ikot Akpa-Nkuk in Ukanafun L.G A and arrested three (3) suspects, one Nanai Friday Ekpo (f) of Odaro Ikot Village, in Ukanafun L.G.A, Barika Samuel Nulee and Nwidum Alugbo Yaake, both of Khana L.G.A., of Rivers State.

“During interrogation, Nanai Friday admitted to luring unsuspecting men to her boyfriend, one Edurance Monday, who is still at large, to kidnap and collect ransom for them to share.”

“The suspects confessed to kidnapping one Victoria Imo Uko and one Uwem Alpanuko, both of Ukanafun LGA.” Victims and their families have been reunited.”

The Command stated that in the months of July and August, it “arrested 96 criminal elements for offences of Murder, Kidnapping, Armed Robbery, Bunkering Rape, Defilement, Cultism, etc. and recovered arms and ammunition.”

The command assured the suspects and others that they will have their day in court.