Imo Police Arrest Two Women for Attempting to Sell Kidnapped Child

Operatives of the Imo State Police Command have arrested two women in Owerri for attempting to sell a four-year-old boy who was previously kidnapped in Abuja. The child, reportedly abducted while hawking vegetables, was brought to Owerri by the suspects, who allegedly intended to sell him for ₦2.7 million.

The suspects, identified as Joy Ugwu from Idah in Kogi State and Rosella Michael from Zamba, Abuja, were apprehended on April 14 following an intelligence-led operation. A third suspect, said to be a nurse, is still on the run.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Henry Okoye, the operation was carried out through a joint effort between the Imo State Command and the Zone 7 Police Headquarters in Abuja. Following their arrest, the suspects were transferred to the Zonal Criminal Investigation Department in Abuja for continued investigation and prosecution.

Investigators discovered that the victim, Jaffa Umar—a Hausa-speaking child—was abducted in Abuja and transported to Owerri where the suspects allegedly tried to negotiate his sale.

The boy has since been safely reunited with his family, thanks to the collaboration between both police formations.

The Imo State Commissioner of Police, CP Aboki Danjuma, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to combating child trafficking and protecting vulnerable individuals. He also urged members of the public to report any suspicious activities to law enforcement agencies using the designated emergency hotline.