The Abia State Police Command has recovered four children that were taken on December 16, 2024, along Ubakala street and Ossah road in Umuahia, Abia State.
Also, one Ifeoma Abonyi, the new renter that snatched the children, has been captured in far away Asaba, Delta State.
The Commissioner of Police, through ASP Maureen Chinaka, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Abia State Police Command, signed a press release stating that the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Abia Police Command’s strong technical intelligence were responsible for the children’s rescue and the arrest of the eight suspects.
Six more children were discovered under the custody of the detained suspects, the statement further revealed.
The text of the statement said:
“On 16 December, 2023, one Mrs. Ifeanyi Udoma Ibe (female) of Ubakala Street, Ossai Road, Umuahia, reported the abduction of her children and her neighbours’ children by an unidentified tenant. The Abia State Police Command launched an investigation into the event in response to the report.
“On December 22, 2023, police detectives from the Abia State Police Command successfully apprehended one Ifeoma Abonyi, a 35-year-old female, in Asaba, Delta State, thanks to strong technical intelligence support from the DSS in Abia State.” The four children that were abducted on 16/12/23 have been identified as having been abducted by Ifeoma Abonyi, the tenant who was previously unidentified.
“We are pleased to notify the public that all four of the missing children who were taken on December 16, 2023, have been found and saved. On December 22, 2023, two of the children were saved, and on December 24, 2023, two more were saved.
Eight suspects in all—five women and three men—are assisting the police in their investigation at this time.
Three more people who are thought to have participated in the crime are still at large. To guarantee their quick apprehension, we are stepping up our efforts.
Six additional children that were discovered in the care of the detained suspects are the subject of an ongoing investigation. Given that some of the suspects believe the youngsters are their own children, this may involve performing DNA tests. As soon as possible, we will notify the public of the investigation’s findings.
The town was ecstatic after the rescue, with many calling the events “Perfect Christmas” sent by God and thanking the Abia State Police Command for the good news.
Speaking to DAILY POST on Sunday night, one of the residents, Mr. Barry Odinkemmere of the South-East Fact Check, expressed optimism that the first group of four children taken on November 27 by an unidentified tricycle operator will also be located.