The Anambra State Police Command has declared one Mrs Sabina Izuora wanted for child theft and trafficking.
The command also said that it has arrested one Rejoice Raymond, aged 39 years, and Mrs Chidi Felicia Nwafor, aged 80 years, all natives of Umunya, in Oyi LGA of Anambra State for confined three children (2 boys and a girl) inside different rooms at NO.13 Akunwanta Mbamalu Street, Federal Housing Estate, Onitsha.
The duo was also alleged to have subjected them to physical and emotional torture without food and inflicted several wounds on their bodies, leaving them unconscious and at the point of death.
CSP Haruna Mohammed, the public relation officer of the command the victims who were badly battered with lacerations all over their body – one with a broken arm; were found in the pool of their own blood, rescued and taken to the hospital for medical attention.
He said that exhibits recovered at the scene included some fetish substances, blood-stained canes, concoctions and other incriminating items.
He said: “Preliminary investigations revealed that the three children were allegedly sold to the suspects by a notorious child trafficking kingpin namely Sabina Izoura who has been on the police wanted list for child trafficking, child stealing and forgery.
“Further investigations also revealed that the suspect was involved in unlawful adoptions, using forged police reports, forged authorisation letters from Anambra state Ministry of Women Affairs and sworn court affidavits, to sell children stolen from all parts of the country to her waiting customers, both within and outside Nigeria; including a recent attempt to smuggle out two children (a boy and a girl) allegedly stolen from Niger State since 2018.
“Meanwhile, all the children recovered by the police are presently under the protective care of Anambra State Ministry of Social Welfare, Women and Children’s Affairs, pending when their biological parents will surface.
“Investigations are still ongoing and efforts are being intensified to apprehend other accomplices in order to bring them to justice.
“Consequently, the Commissioner of Police, CP Monday Bala Kuryas, fsi, has enjoined Ndi Anambra and the general public to apprehend or report at the nearest police station, or call police emergency number 07039194332, whenever they see Mrs Sabina Izuorah formerly of Social welfare Dept Awka South LGA but recently transferred to Social Welfare Department Ihiala LGA presently at large and evading police arrest in connection with the offence of child stealing/ trafficking, forgery and perjury”.
