The Police in Enugu State says it has rescued an alleged stolen five-year-old child during a church thanksgiving service in Emene, near the state capital, Enugu.
The command made the disclosure in a statement signed and issued by its Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Ebere Amaraizu on Monday in Enugu state.
Amaraizu said operatives of the command had also arrested one Edith Ewulu, one of the two prime suspects involved in the alleged baby theft.
He said that Ewulu, who hails from Enugu Agidi in Anambra State, was arrested at Emene in Enugu State.
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Amaraizu said the operatives of the Emene Police division had nabbed the suspects on February 10, after she allegedly stole the baby from the mother on February 6.
He explained that the suspect had changed the baby’s original name from Felicia to Gift and had taken her to a new generation Pentecostal Church at Emene for thanksgiving and dedication.
The police spokesperson said the suspect, Ewulu, admitted that she bought the said child from one Chioma who claimed to be running a social home in Aba, Abia State for the sum of N470,000.
The suspect said she bought the baby on February 7 from the seller at a renowned hospital in Umuahia, Abia State which she said, convinced her that the business was genuine but never knew the child was stolen from the mother at Emene in Enugu State.
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“She had taken the said child to her church for a thanksgiving before police operatives swooped on her and arrested her with the said baby,’’ he said.
Amaraizu said the biological mother of the child identified as one Mrs Philomena Godwin had maintained that her baby was stolen on February 6 at Emene in Enugu State.
“On that day, she said she was having headache and had decided to go inside her room to have a short sleep while her baby was outside playing.
“But when she woke up, she could no longer see her baby and attempts made to get her proved abortive hence they reported the case to the police,’’ he narrated.
The woman however, expressed satisfaction with the prompt move by police operatives leading to the recovery of her baby and arrest of the alleged buyer.
Amaraizu said that the baby had been reunited with her parents while the suspect had been helping the police operatives in their investigation.
The PPRO admonished parents and guardians to be security conscious at all times, to avoid running into the hands of this mischief makers.
The command also advised members of the public to promptly report any suspicious movement within their environment to the police for necessary action,’’ he said. (NAN)