Akwa Ibom police bust child trafficking syndicate, arrest three women and recover newborn baby sold for N145,000

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has bust a child trafficking syndicate, arrested three women and recovered a newborn baby sold for N145,000.

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The spokesperson for the command, DSP Timfon John, who disclosed this in a statement on Friday, May 15, 2026 said the arrest followed a complaint by one Sidon who alleged that his newborn son was sold without his knowledge shortly after birth.

According to the PPRO, preliminary investigation revealed that the complainant’s wife gave birth to a baby boy on 7 May, but the suspects allegedly conspired and sold the child to a woman identified as Eno Peter for N145,000.

Police operatives moved swiftly after receiving the report, leading to the arrest of the suspects and the recovery of the baby. 

Timfon said the suspects confessed to the crime during interrogation, while investigations have been expanded to uncover other persons connected to the alleged trafficking syndicate and possible illegal child adoption network operating within and outside the state.

“Operatives of the Command acting on credible intelligence and in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, on 13th May, 2026, at about 1900hrs, arrested three female suspects over their alleged involvement in child trafficking, conspiracy, and the unlawful sale of a newborn baby,” the statement read.

“The suspects are: Ekemini Godwin ‘F’, 19 years, of Ikot Obioma Village, Endurance Sunday ‘F’, 26 years, of Nkwot Ikono Village and Alice Emmanuel  ‘F’, 50 years, of Nkwot Ikono Village.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the complainant, one Sifon ‘M’, reported that his wife gave birth to a baby boy on 7th May, 2026.

“Shockingly, shortly after delivery, the suspects allegedly conspired and unlawfully sold the newborn child to one Eno Peter ‘F’ of Ikpe Atai Village for the sum of One Hundred and Forty-Five Thousand Naira (N145,000) without the consent or knowledge of the father.

“Upon receipt of the report, operatives immediately swung into action, leading to the arrest of the suspects and the successful recovery of the baby boy.

“The suspects reportedly confessed to the crime during interrogation, while investigation has been expanded to identify and apprehend all individuals connected to the trafficking syndicate and possible illegal child adoption network operating within and outside the State.” 

The Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, fsi, commended the professionalism, vigilance, and tactical efficiency displayed by officers involved in the operation. 

The CP reiterated that the Command remains fully committed to sustaining aggressive intelligence-led policing, strategic stop-and-search operations, continuous raids on criminal hideouts, and coordinated enforcement actions aimed at denying criminals any safe haven within Akwa Ibom State.

He further warned all individuals involved in child trafficking, cultism, armed robbery, illegal possession of firearms, drug trafficking, and other violent crimes to immediately desist from such unlawful activities or be prepared to face the full weight of the law.

CP Baba Mohammed Azare, fsi, also reassured residents that the Command will continue to intensify efforts towards protecting lives and property, while urging members of the public to remain vigilant and continue providing timely, credible, and actionable information to the Police.

The Command emphasized that community partnership remains critical in the ongoing fight against criminality and assured residents that all information provided would be treated with utmost confidentiality.