The Abia State Police Command said it has arrested three female suspects over alleged child stealing and successfully rescued two children in a coordinated operation carried out in Akwete Divisional Headquarters area in the state.
According to a statement released by the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Maureen Chioma Chinaka, shared on Facebook on Sunday, the suspects were apprehended following actionable intelligence and collaboration with community vigilantes on May 10, 2026.
The statement said, “On 10/05/2026, leveraging on actionable intelligence, operatives of Akwete Divisional Police Headquarters, in collaboration with community vigilantes, apprehended one Vera Imiobong Udoyang, in Abia State, who was found with the above-mentioned children. Upon interrogation, she confessed to stealing the children after luring them with donuts and soft drinks at Ozoaporo in Okrika, Rivers State, where she resides.
“The arrested suspects are identified as Vera Imiobong Udoyang (30), Chioma Duru Ukanwoke (40), and Ezinne Ukandu (41), all females from Akwa Ibom, Imo and Abia States respectively.
“Preliminary investigations further revealed that the suspect Vera Imiobong Udoyang was allegedly recruited through a chain of contacts involving the other two suspects, with claims that an unidentified welfare officer, simply known as “Chioma,” who is currently at large, coordinated efforts to source male children for possible illegal adoption.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that Vera Imiobong Udoyang was earlier contacted by Chioma Duru Ukanwoke, who in turn was contacted by Ezinne Ukandu.
“Ezinne Ukandu had allegedly been contacted by a certain welfare officer identified as Chioma, who is currently at large, to source for a male child aged about three (3) years or arrange for adoption from any family willing to give out a child.”
The Command stated that the three arrested suspects are currently in custody while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspect.
“The three suspects, Vera Imiobong Udoyang, Chioma Duru Ukanwoke and Ezinne Ukandu are in police custody , while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the said welfare officer, Chioma, who is at large.
“The rescued children have also been reunited with their parents, while investigations continue at the State Criminal Investigation Department.
“The rescued children have been safely reunited with their parents and investigation is ongoing at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID),” the statement added.
Commissioner of Police, CP Danladi Isa, urged parents and guardians to be vigilant and ensure the safety of children, warning them against accepting gifts or following strangers.
He also advised members of the public to report suspicious individuals seen with children to the nearest police station or through emergency hotlines provided by the Command.
“The Commissioner of Police, Abia State Command, CP Danladi Isa, urges members of the public to remain security conscious, ensure the safety of their children, and advise them not to accept items from strangers or follow unknown persons. He further advised the public to report any suspicious individuals seen with children to the nearest police station or through the Command’s emergency hotlines,” the statement added.