The police command in Imo says it has busted a child trafficking syndicate. The command arrested a pastor and three others, for allegedly stealing and selling a one-month-old baby from a woman who gave birth to the child for him.

In a statement on Thursday, spokesperson for the command, Henry Okoye, said the baby was sold for N900,000, with the help of a trafficking agent and a nurse, both at large, after the mother was lied to that her child died at birth.

Mr Okoye said the command, In collaboration with community youths of Ohaji, nabbed four suspects on September 11 for their involvement in stealing and trafficking a one-month-old baby belonging to Precious Ochasi, a 22-year-old from Ohuba in Ohaji.

The suspects are Albert Chidumaga, 44; Rose Isiguzo, 58; Ikechukwu Ezemadu, 50; and Orji Moses, 46.

Investigations revealed that Mr Chidumaga, who claimed to be a pastor, impregnated Ms Ochasi and, “upon delivery, conspired with a nurse identified as Blessing and a child trafficking agent named Chioma (both currently at large) to sell the baby to Rose Isiguzo for N900,000”, the police statement said.

It added, “The victim was deceived and falsely informed that her child had died at birth.”