The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested a woman, Christiana Ibanga, and her boyfriend, Inyene Akpan, for allegedly selling their child for N450,000 in 2024.
The state police spokesperson, DSP Timfon John, confirmed the arrest in a statement released on Wednesday.
According to John, the suspects were apprehended following a complaint from a woman (name withheld) who reported that Ibanga had allegedly lured her six-year-old daughter and taken her to an undisclosed location.
Upon receiving the intelligence, police operatives swiftly launched an investigation and arrested Ibanga and Akpan.
During interrogation, the duo reportedly confessed to the crime and admitted that they had sold their own child for N450,000, with the assistance of one Saviour Aniedi.
Further investigations revealed that Ibanga also conspired with Aniedi and his wife to steal the complainant’s daughter, who was later sold in Aba, Abia State, to an unidentified buyer.
The statement read, “On 15th June 2024, a woman (name withheld) of Afaha Atai Village in Ibesikpo Asutan LGA reported that one Christiana Uwem Ibanga, a female resident of Ekamba Nsukara Village in Uyo LGA, lured her six-year-old daughter, and took her to an unknown destination.
“Acting promptly on credible intelligence, our operatives immediately swung into action and arrested the said Christiana Uwem Ibanga and her accomplice who is her boyfriend named, Inyene Etuk Akpan, on 14th January 2025 in Abuja.
“During interrogation, the suspects admitted to selling their child in May 2024 for N450,000 with the assistance of one Saviour Aniedi. Christiana further confessed to conspiring with Saviour Aniedi and his wife to steal the complainant’s child, who was later sold in Aba, Abia State, to an unidentified buyer.”
John explained that the operatives had commenced an operation in Aba to track down the buyer, adding that significant progress had been made in the process as the operatives were closing in on the suspects already.
She said, “On 23rd January 2025, investigators extended their operations to Aba in pursuit of the buyer and the child.
“While the suspects in Aba remain elusive, the command assures the public that substantial progress has been made. Our operatives are narrowing in on the perpetrators and their apprehension is imminent.”
She, however, warned that criminals had only two options -to turn a new leaf or leave.
She said during the period under review, the operatives also arrested suspected illicit drug dealers, mostly women and recovered weapons from them.
The spokesperson noted that the suspects were arrested after the operatives raided some blackspots in the state.
“As part of intensified efforts to rid the entire state of criminal elements, on 26/01/2025, the operatives of the command conducted a strategic raid,” she said.
She said that the operation targeted identified blackspots, including hotels, brothels, and specific compounds in Nto Nsek Village and its environs, aimed at clamping down on illicit drug activities and other crimes.
According to John, the operation led to the arrest of a female suspect, Happiness Malachi George, who was apprehended for engaging in the sale of Indian hemp and other substances.
“In a coordinated effort, the team also raided a brothel in Ikot Ebong Village, Odoro Ikot Clan, where two female suspects, Queen Sambo Umoren, aged 28, and Joy Chima Inyene-Obong Patrick Michael, aged 28, were arrested and substances suspected to be Indian hemp and a jackknife were found in their possession.
“Furthermore, the team intercepted Ekemini-Abasi Micah Silas, 32, who was caught mounting an illegal roadblock at Ikot Ekpenyong Village in Odoro Ikot Clan. He was found with suspected illicit drugs. While some suspects managed to flee during the operation, proactive measures are in place to track and apprehend them,” she added.