Police Officers Refuse N1m Bribe, Arrest Two Suspected Child Traffickers, and Rescue Two Children in Imo

Operatives of the Imo State Police Command have rejected a N1 million bribe offer and arrested two suspected child traffickers.

The spokesperson for the command, DSP Henry Okoye, disclosed this in a press statement on Thursday, February 27, 2025, adding that two children, aged 4 and 3, were rescued from the suspects.

The PPRO stated that operatives of the State Criminal Investigation Department had, on February 4, 2025, arrested a 32-year-old woman, Confidence Odoh, of Umuanyo Eziobodo, Owerri West LGA, for allegedly abducting her ex-neighbor’s three-year-old son, Nzubechi Udodiri, on February 1, 2025, while the child was playing outside their premises.

The boy has since been rescued and reunited with his parents.

In a related incident, operatives conducting a routine stop-and-search along the Owerri-Aba Expressway apprehended a 45-year-old woman, Eze Chika, of Obiokwara Umualoma, Ideato North LGA, who was found with a suspected stolen four-year-old child.

Although she initially claimed the child was hers, she later admitted to purchasing the child from a suspected child trafficking syndicate in Aba for N1.8 million.

In a desperate attempt to avoid arrest, the suspect offered the police operatives a N1 million bribe, which they outrightly rejected.

“On February 4, 2025, detectives of the State Criminal Investigation Department arrested a 32-year-old woman, Confidence Odoh, of Umuanyo Eziobodo, Owerri West LGA, for abducting her ex-neighbor’s three-year-old son, Nzubechi Udodiri, on February 1, 2025. Investigations revealed she stole the child while he was playing in the compound where he resides. The child was rescued and reunited with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Udodiri Michael, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend possible accomplices.” the statement read.

“In a separate development on February 21, 2025, operatives of the Safer Highway Unit, while conducting a robust stop-and-search along the Owerri-Aba express road, apprehended Eze Chika (45) of Obiokwara Umualoma, Ideato North LGA, found with a suspected stolen four-year-old child. Initially, she claimed the child was hers but later admitted to purchasing the child from a suspected trafficking syndicate in Aba for N1.8m.

“In a desperate attempt to evade arrest, the suspect offered the officers a N1m bribe, which was rejected outright. The officers proceeded with the lawful arrest and ensured the safe rescue of the child. Further investigations revealed possible links to a larger trafficking network, and more arrests are expected. Efforts are underway to identify the child’s biological parents.”

The police spokesperson reiterated that the command is committed to combating child trafficking and other crimes in the state.

He urged residents, especially parents, to remain vigilant, monitor their children closely, and report any suspicious activities to the police.