On Monday, August 22nd, the Imo state police command, rescued a 3-day old baby which was stolen by unknown child thieves barely 48-hours after his birth at the Chukwunonso Maternity in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area.
While reuniting the baby with his parents, Mr and Mrs Oluebube Ekwedike from Umuezealaowerre Ehime Mbano LGA, at the command headquarters in Owerri on Monday, the Imo State Police Commissioner, Taiwo Lakanu, said that after the issue was reported to the police, the men of the command swung into action and arrested two suspects who were at the brink of selling off the baby.
The baby’s 21-year-old mother mother, Uchechi Ekwedike said she was tricked by the culprits in order to steal her baby.
The Commissioner said child stealing and trafficking still persist despite numerous warnings to people to desist from the devious act.
“My team, the entire Imo State Police Command, will not rest on its oars to ensure that criminal offenses are brought to its barest minimum in the state. It is so unfortunate that such barbaric behaviour still exists amongst our people. .
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But the arrest of these ones should serve as a deterrent to other child thieves across the state and to make them realise that no matter how smart they are, the hands of the law will catch up with them.” he said.
While speaking to reporters, the prime suspect Mrs Ngozi Anyanwu, claimed that she stole the baby because the owner of the maternity home was owing her some amount of money.