The Abia State Police Command has arrested a tenant who absconded with four children of her co-tenants in Umuahia.

The state police public relations officer, ASP Maureen Chinaka, stated that all the missing children have been rescued.

In a statement on behalf of Kenechukwu Onwumelie, the state Commissioner of Police, Ms Chinaka said the suspect was arrested in Asaba.

She said the mother, Ifeanyi Ibe, had, on December 16, reported the abduction of her children and her neighbours’.

Ms Chinaka said the police subsequently launched an investigation into the incident and arrested the 35-year-old suspect, Ifeoma Abonyi, on December 22 through the support of the State Security Service (SSS).

The police spokesperson said two children were rescued on the day of the arrest, while others were rescued on Sunday.

“A total of eight suspects (five females and three males) are currently helping the police with the investigation into the crime.

“Three other persons suspected to be complicit in the crime are still at large. We are intensifying efforts to ensure their arrest soonest.

“Meanwhile, investigation is ongoing to determine the real status of six other children that were found in the custody of the arrested suspects.

“This might entail the conduct of DNA tests, as some of the suspects are claiming that the children are their biological offspring. We shall keep the public informed of the outcome of the investigation as soon as possible,” the statement read.