Police operatives in Abia State have rescued a 16-month-old girl and arrested four suspects, including the child’s biological father, over an alleged attempt to negotiate her sale for financial gain.
The Abia State Police Command disclosed the development as part of its recent crime-fighting operations in the state, stating that the four suspects were arrested in connection with the alleged child trafficking attempt.
The child, described by the police as one year and four months old, was rescued and subsequently placed in protective custody. Investigators have now commenced efforts to establish how the alleged transaction was arranged and the individual roles of the suspects.
The arrest of the child’s father has drawn particular attention to the case because of his alleged connection to the attempted sale of his biological daughter. However, the allegations remain subject to police investigation and any subsequent judicial proceedings.
The matter has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, in Umuahia, where detectives are expected to conduct further investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The latest operation comes amid continued police efforts to disrupt child trafficking activities in Abia. The Command has previously announced several operations involving the rescue of children and arrests of suspects allegedly connected to child trafficking.
In August 2026, police operatives in Aba rescued six children who were allegedly abducted and held by a suspected member of a child trafficking syndicate. A 51-year-old man was arrested in connection with the incident after police said credible and actionable intelligence led them to his residence.
The Abia Command has also previously rescued 12 children during an operation targeting an alleged unregistered motherless babies’ home in Aba. Police said the children, whose ages ranged from infants to teenagers, were found in the suspects’ residence and subsequently handed over to the appropriate authorities.
The Command has repeatedly urged members of the public to remain security-conscious and report suspicious activities involving children.
The latest case underscores the seriousness of child trafficking allegations and the importance of protecting children from exploitation.
The rescued girl remains in protective custody while the four suspects face further investigation at the SCID in Umuahia. The police have yet to announce the conclusion of the investigation or any court proceedings arising from the case.
