Police Arrest Eight Suspects In Lagos, Smash Newborn Theft And Sale Syndicate

Operatives attached to the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Zone 2, Onikan, Lagos State, have smashed a syndicate allegedly specialised in the theft and sale of newborn babies.

Eight suspects identified as Rita Ibezim, Sunday Ochim, Sunday Okputu, Faith Sunday, Chinaza Echelibe, Ngozi Ifekwuna, Helen Nwakuba and Bada Adeniyi were arrested in different areas of Lagos.

The police team led by CSP Ngozi Braide also rescued five between ages one and six with most of them sold to those they considered their parents when they were one-week-old.

The rescued kids were identified as one-year-old Marvelous Obi, three-year-old Promise Ifekwuna, one-year-old Somtochukwu Onyemaechi, three-year-old Chibuzornma Onyemaechi and six-year-old Praise Ibezim.

According to the investigating team, two of the children were rescued in Imo State in the custody of a caregiver employed by one of the buyers who lives abroad.

Giving details at a press conference held at the weekend, AIG Adegoke Fayoade said the breakthrough followed an intelligence report received on January 8 about the activities of a notorious child trafficking syndicate.

Fayoade who was represented by Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Ajao Adewale, said the intelligence revealed that the syndicate specializes in buying and selling newborn babies, toddlers, as well as children of various ages.