A disturbing case of child trafficking has been uncovered in Akwa Ibom State, where the police have rescued a newborn baby just two days after birth and arrested multiple suspects involved in what authorities describe as an organized human trafficking ring.
The incident occurred along the Nsit Atai/Oron Road, where a police patrol team intercepted a suspicious Mazda vehicle with registration number YAB 454 AA. Inside the car were three adults and a newborn baby whose presence quickly raised red flags.
According to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, on Monday, officers on patrol questioned the car’s occupants Bethel Anyanwu (the driver), Blessing Walter (20), and Grace Walter (55). When asked about the baby, none could provide a convincing explanation about the infant’s identity or relationship with them.
Upon further investigation, a chilling trafficking network began to unfold.
Shockingly, the mother and grandmother of the rescued baby — identified as Blessing and Grace Walter — confessed to selling the child for ₦800,000. Their arrest has left the community stunned, with many calling for swift and decisive prosecution.
DSP Timfon revealed that two other suspects, Nasikpo Sonia Labere and Inemesit Okin Akpan, confessed they had been sent from Port Harcourt, Rivers State, by two alleged traffickers, Waazor Godwin and Lilian Duru, to collect the baby from an individual named Grace Inyang in Oron, Akwa Ibom State.
Another suspect, Alison Eduno, was also arrested for reportedly acting as the link between the buyer and the seller.
Thankfully, the baby has been rescued safely and is now in the custody of the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare. The child is receiving proper care and protection while the police continue their investigation.
“All the suspects are currently in custody,” the police spokesperson confirmed. “The investigation is ongoing to ensure that everyone involved — including those who are still at large — is brought to justice.”
This latest case highlights the persistent threat of child trafficking across Nigeria, especially in vulnerable communities where poverty and lack of social support drive desperate decisions. Akwa Ibom, like several other states, continues to battle with baby factories and underground networks that exploit women and children.
Authorities are urging members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity, especially regarding the movement of infants or young children without proper documentation or explanation.
As the investigation unfolds, the Akwa Ibom State Police Command has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting children and cracking down on trafficking syndicates operating across the state.
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