Operatives of the Bayelsa State Police Command have rescued two stolen Bayelsa children in Abia and Enugu states.
The police operatives, attached to the Gender Unit, State Criminal Investigation Department, State Police Command also busted a child trafficking syndicate and rescued the two stolen children unhurt.
The children namely; Success ‘f’ four years and Prince ‘m’ two years were stolen by one Sunday Aniele ‘m’ 22 years and Chioma Obi ‘f’ 24 years, on 19th June 2023, at Igbogene, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
On that fateful day, Chioma Obi who claimed to be a sister of Sunday Aniele took the children away under the guise of purchasing drugs for them, unknown to their parents the children were taken out of the state to unknown destination.
After a diligent investigation by police operatives, crisscrossing Delta, Anambra, Enugu, and Abia States, Sunday Aniele and Chioma Obi were arrested at Ughelli, Delta State on 7th July 2023.
Subsequently, one Kingsley Chimobi ‘m’ 28 years, and Harriet Chukwu ‘f’ 36 years were arrested at Onitsha, Anambra State on 10th July, 2023.
Further investigation took the police team to Enugu, where Success ‘f’ 4 years was recovered on 21st July 2023, and Abangwa, Abia State where Prince ‘m’ 2 years was recovered on 22 July 2023.
The suspects have admitted to collecting one million six hundred thousand Naira for the two children.
The commissioner of police Bayelsa State Command, CP Tolani Alausa has charged the investigating unit to conclude its investigation and Charge the suspects to court.
Commenting on the development, the Chain of the Gender Response Initiative Team, Dr. Dise Goddy-Harry, said “This is a success story for the prosperity Government as we have shown again that the safety and security of it’s citizens is our top priority.”
“We are also impressed with the cooperation of all key actors to the eventual release of the children. From His EXCELLENCY to Her EXCELLENCY, the commissioner of women affairs Mrs Faith Opene to all the non Governmental Organisations that made imputs to the eventual release of the children only goes to show that in unity we can make Bayelsa State a safe space for everyone.”
“We shall as a team provide psycho socio support to the children having stayed away from their parents for this long.We are also calling on the commandant National agency for the prohibition of trafficking in persons Bayelsa to conclude their investigation in collaboration with the Bayelsa State Police commandant and charge the culprits to court”.
