Police smash child sale syndicate

A syndicate that specialises in stealing and selling
children has been uncovered by the police in Lagos.

Three members of the gang identified as Joy Okoye, 28, Uju
Obieze, 40, Ifeyinwa Ezene, 46, were arrested in Lagos, Delta and
Anambra States respectively, while their victim, a two-year-old
baby was recovered at Enugu State at the residence of one Ifeoma
Okoye, said to be deceased.

It was gathered the child went missing on May 1 at her parent’s
27, Test Oluwale Street, Olodi Apapa residence.

The child’s father, Ekene Nwoagbo was said to have filed a
complaint on her disappearance at the police station which prompted
Police Commissioner Imohimi Edgal to direct the Anti-Kidnapping
unit to take charge of the case.

Preliminary investigation, it was gathered, indicted Okoye, a
resident of 64, Kirikiri Street, Olodi Apapa who confessed to the
crime, adding that she connived with one Amarachi, still at large,
to sell.

Okoye, it was learnt told detectives they sold the kid N300, 000
to Obieze, a resident of 8, Okwe Road, Asaba, Delta State.

Consequently, the command mobilised detectives to Asaba and
Obieze was arrested on September 13 and she allegedly confessed
that she bought the baby in collaboration with Ezene of 2, Eze
Bishop Street, Onitsha, Anambra State.

Upon her arrest, Ezene, it was gathered, led the police on
September 14, to 40, Amaechi Street off Agbani Road, Enugu, said to
be the residence of Okoye, whom they resold the child to.

Policemen were however told at the address that Okoye died the
previous week though the child was recovered from her
relatives.

Confirming the incident, Police spokesman Chike Oti, a Chief
Superintendent (CSP) said Okoye’s relatives were mourning her death
at the time detectives arrived her home.

He said: “The little girl has since been reunited with her
parents. The suspects will be charged to court on Wednesday.”