Police uncover suspected child trafficking syndicate in Akwa Ibom, rescue 2 day-old baby sold for N800,000

Tuesday, April 22, 2025 - Operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command have arrested suspected child traffickers and rescued a two-day-old baby sold for N800,000.

The spokesperson of the command, DSP Timfon John, who disclosed this in a statement in Uyo on Monday, April 21, 2025 said the suspects, Nasikpo Sonia Labere and Inemesit Okin Akpan, confessed to being sent from Port Harcourt, Rivers State, by two persons to collect the baby from one Miss Grace Inyang in Oron.

Further investigation led to the arrest of the grandmother and mother of the baby. 

According to the PPRO, both confessed to selling the baby N800,000. 

The PPRO said the rescued baby had been taken to the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare in Uyo for care and custody, pending the conclusion of investigation.

“The Akwa Ibom State Police Command in its effort to protect lives and property has intercepted suspected child trafficking syndicate,” the statement read. 

"Operatives of the command while on patrol along the Nsit Atai/Oron Road, intercepted a Mazda vehicle with registration number YAB 454 AA. The vehicle was driven by one Bethel Anyanwu, a male, and had two female occupants along with a two-day-old baby.

"Upon interrogation, the occupants could not provide a satisfactory explanation regarding the infant.

"Following a series of interrogations one Nasikpo Sonia Labere, a female, and Inemesit Okin Akpan, a female, confessed to being sent from Port Harcourt, Rivers State, by one Waazor Godwin, a female, and one Lilian Duru, a female, to collect the baby from one Miss Grace Inyang in Oron.

"Further investigation led to the arrest of one Alison Eduno, who facilitated the connection between the buyer and the seller. The grandmother and the mother of the baby, identified as Grace Walter, a 55-year-old female, and Blessing Walter, a 20-year-old female, both residing in Oti Oron, were also apprehended. They confessed to selling the baby for the sum of eight hundred thousand Naira (N800,000).

"All the aforementioned suspects are currently in police custody. The rescued baby has been taken to the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare in Uyo for care and custody pending the conclusion of the ongoing investigation.