In a shocking and heartbreaking incident, the Imo State Police Command has arrested two women who attempted to sell a kidnapped four-year-old boy in Owerri for ₦2.7 million.

According to police reports, the young boy had been abducted in Abuja while hawking vegetables, then trafficked across state lines to Imo State for sale. Fortunately, their plans were foiled before they could complete the terrible transaction.

The suspects, identified as Joy Ugwu from Idah, Kogi State, and Rosella Michael from Zamba, Abuja, were apprehended after a discreet operation carried out by operatives of the Scorpion Unit. Acting on credible intelligence, the team intercepted the women in Owerri on April 27, 2027, around 6:00 p.m., leading to the rescue of the little boy.

Speaking on the development, the Imo State Police spokesperson, DSP Henry Okoye, revealed that the arrest was made possible through a joint effort between the Imo State Police Command and the Zone 7 Police Headquarters, Abuja. He further confirmed that the suspects have since been transferred to the Zonal Criminal Investigation Department (ZCID) in Abuja for further investigation and prosecution.

Okoye stated, “The Imo State Police Command has uncovered a suspected case of child trafficking, leading to the arrest of two female suspects and the rescue of a four-year-old boy.”

Meanwhile, a third suspect — a nurse believed to have played a critical role in the trafficking operation — remains on the run, with efforts underway to bring her to justice.

This deeply disturbing case shines a light on the urgent need to protect vulnerable children from trafficking and exploitation, particularly those forced into street hawking due to economic hardship.

The Imo State Police Command is urging members of the public to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activities promptly, emphasizing that community cooperation is vital in the fight against child trafficking.