Man arrested for attempting to sell 16-month-old daughter

The Abia State Police Command has arrested a man and three accomplices for allegedly attempting to sell and traffic his 16-month-old biological daughter.

The suspects were apprehended by operatives of the State Criminal Investigation Department, Gender Unit, at a hotel in Obi, Obingwa Local Government Area, on September 7, 2026.

The Commissioner of Police, Wilfred Afolabi, disclosed this on Friday while briefing journalists on the command’s achievements since he assumed office on August 10.

Afolabi said the suspects had been transferred from the Central Police Station, Umuahia, and were being investigated for alleged conspiracy and child trafficking.

He said preliminary investigations established that the child belonged to one of the suspects, adding that the alleged attempt to traffic her was driven by the desire to make money.

The rescued child has been placed in the custody of the Abia State Ministry of Women Affairs, while the four suspects remain in police custody as investigations continue.

The commissioner also disclosed that the command had recorded more than 152 criminal cases and arrested over 220 suspects since his assumption of office.

He said several of the cases had been investigated and charged to court.

According to him, the command also rescued nine kidnapped victims, recovered 101 rounds of ammunition and cartridges, and recovered six stolen vehicles, including tricycles and motorcycles.

Afolabi added that the police had dismantled two criminal networks during the period.

In a separate operation, the commissioner announced the arrest of a suspect allegedly linked to an armed robbery and kidnapping incident along the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway in Aba.

He said the suspect was arrested following an attack in which a female victim was allegedly robbed of a Toyota Highlander, mobile phones, handbag and other personal belongings.