The Imo State police command has uncovered a suspected case of child trafficking, leading to the arrest of two female suspects and the rescue of a four-year-old boy.

The command’s spokesperson, Henry Okoye, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday in Owerri.

Mr Okoye said the suspects were negotiating to sell the boy for N2.7 million before their arrest.

He stated, “Acting on credible intelligence, operatives of the Scorpion Unit intercepted the suspects —Joy Ugwu from Idah, Kogi State, and Rosella Michael of Zamba, FCT Abuja—in Owerri on April 14, at about 6:00 p.m., following a discreet operation. Investigations revealed that the boy, Jaffa Umar, who speaks Hausa fluently, was abducted in Abuja while hawking vegetables.”

He noted that a third accomplice, believed to be a nurse, was currently on the run.

The police spokesman said the child had been safely reunited with his family through coordinated efforts between the command and Zone 7 Police Headquarters, Abuja.

He added that the suspects had been transferred to the Zonal Criminal Investigation Department (ZCID), Abuja, for further investigation and prosecution.

Mr Okoye said, “The Imo State Commissioner of Police, CP Aboki Danjuma, reassures the public of the command’s commitment to protecting vulnerable persons and dismantling trafficking networks. He encourages residents to report suspicious activity to the nearest police station or via the emergency line 08034773600.’’

 (NAN)