The Anambra Police Command has foiled an alleged attempt by a 21-year-old woman to sell her newborn baby girl in Igbariam, Anambra East Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen on Sunday in Awka.
“Operatives of the Anambra Police Command attached to Oyi Divisional Station, acting on credible intelligence, on June 19, successfully foiled an alleged attempt by a 21-year-old woman to sell her newborn baby.
“The police promptly secured both the mother and her infant daughter and facilitated their reunion with family members to ensure proper care, protection and support,” he said.
Ikenga said the intervention followed a report from a concerned citizen, which led officers to a location in Igbariam, where the young mother and her newborn baby were found.
He said preliminary investigations revealed that the woman had concealed both her pregnancy and delivery from her parents.
According to him, it was further gathered that she had left her family home in Imo and sought refuge with a friend residing in Igbariam before the alleged plan was uncovered.
“In the course of the operation, the police immediately contacted the young woman’s parents, who responded without delay,” he said.
The police spokesman said that following the arrival of the parents, the mother and baby were reunited with the family to guarantee adequate care, supervision and emotional support, while investigations continue.
He said that the Commissioner of Police (CP), Anambra Command, Ikioye Orutugu, commended the vigilance and sense of responsibility demonstrated by the complainant and other members of the public, whose timely information contributed significantly to the successful intervention.
The PPRO said that the CP also reaffirmed the command’s unwavering commitment to protecting children from all forms of abuse, exploitation, trafficking and neglect.
He said that Orutugu further urged residents to remain vigilant and continue partnering with law enforcement agencies by promptly reporting suspicious activities within their communities.
The command assured the public that investigations into the matter were ongoing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident and ensure that any individual found culpable was brought to justice in accordance with the law.
