Anambra Police Parade 2 for Alleged Assault, Attempted Murder of 3 Kids

...Declare Suspected Child Trafficker Wanted

By Izunna Okafor, Awka

Anambra State Police Command has paraded two suspects, for alleged deprivation of liberty, assault and attempted murder of three children at 3-3 area of Onitsha.

Parading the suspects at the State's Police Headquarters, Amawbia, on Thursday, the State's Police Public Relation Officer, CSP Haruna Mohammed noted that the Command has also declared one Mrs Sabina Izuora wanted for alleged involvement in child trafficking.

His words, "It would be recalled that on the 19/2/2021, following an intelligence report, police operatives attached to 3-3 Police Station, Nkwelle Ezunaka, in conjunction with the local vigilante group, raided a house at the Federal Housing Estate, 3-3 Area, Onitsha, and arrested one Rejoice Raymond, 'f', aged 39 years, and Chidi Felicia Nwafor, 'm', aged 80 years, all natives of Umunya in Oyi L.G.A. of Anambra State.

"Suspects allegedly confined three children (2 boys and a girl) inside different rooms at NO.13 Akunwanta Mbamalu Street, Federal Housing Estate, Onitsha, and subjected them to physical and emotional torture without food, and inflicted several wounds on their bodies, leaving them unconscious and at the point of death.

"The victims who were badly battered with lacerations all over their body - one with a broken arm, were found in the pool of their blood, rescued and rushed to the hospital for medical attention. 

"Exhibits recovered at the scene included some fetish substances, blood stained canes, concoctions and other incriminating items.

"Preliminary investigations revealed that the three children were allegedly sold to the suspects by a notorious child trafficking kingpin namely Sabina Izoura 'f' who has been on police wanted list for child trafficking, child stealing and forgery.

"Further investigations also revealed that the suspected child trafficker, Izuora, was involved in unlawful adoptions, using forged police reports, forged authorisation letters from the Ministry of Women's Affairs and sworn court affidavits, to sell children stolen from all parts of the country to her waiting customers, both within and outside Nigeria; including a recent attempt to smuggle out two children (a boy and a girl) allegedly stolen from Niger State since 2018.

"Meanwhile, all the children recovered by the police are presently under the protective care of the Anambra State Ministry for Social Welfare, Women's and Children's Affairs, pending when their biological parents will surface.

Continuing, he said, "Investigations are still ongoing and efforts are being intensified to apprehend other accomplices in order to bring them to justice."

"Consequently, the Commissioner of Police, CP Monday Bala Kuryas, fsi, has enjoined Ndi Anambra and the general public to apprehend or report at the nearest police station, or call police emergency number 07039194332, whenever they see Mrs Sabina Izuorah 'f' formerly of Social welfare Dept Awka South L.G.A. but recently transferred to Social Welfare Department Ihiala LGA presently at large and evading police arrest in connection with the offence of child stealing/ trafficking, forgery and perjury."