Child Trafficking: Suspect offers Imo police ₦1m bribe to evade arrest

Operatives of the Imo State Police Command have arrested one Mrs. Eze Chika, 45, for allegedly buying a stolen child from a suspected child trafficking syndicate in Aba, Abia State, for ₦1.8 million.

According to a release signed by the command’s spokesman, DSP Henry Okoye, the suspect, in a desperate attempt to evade arrest, offered the officers a ₦1 million bribe.

Okoye disclosed that the officers outrightly rejected the bribe and proceeded with her lawful arrest, as well as ensured the safe rescue of the child.

He said efforts are underway to identify the child’s biological parents, adding that more arrests are expected to be made as further investigations revealed possible links to a larger trafficking network.

He said,”On February 21, 2025, operatives of the Safer Highway Unit, while conducting a robust stop-and-search along the Owerri-Aba express road, apprehended Eze Chika (45) of Obiokwara Umualoma, Ideato North LGA, found with a suspected stolen 4-year-old child.

“Initially, she claimed the child was hers but later admitted to purchasing the child from a suspected child trafficking syndicate in Aba for ₦1.8 million.

“In a desperate attempt to evade arrest, the suspect, who hails from Obiokwara Umualoma in Ideato North Council Area of Imo State, offered the officers a ₦1 million bribe, which was outrightly rejected. The officers proceeded with the lawful arrest and ensured the safe rescue of the child.

“In a separate development, on February 4, 2025, detectives of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) arrested a 32-year-old woman, Confidence Odoh, of Umuanyo Eziobodo, Owerri West LGA, for abducting her ex-neighbor’s 3-year-old son, Nzubechi Ududiri, on February 1, 2025.

“Investigations revealed she stole the child while he was playing in the compound where he resides. The child was rescued and reunited with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ududiri Michael, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend possible accomplices.

“The Imo State Police Command remains committed to combating child trafficking and other organized crimes.”