BY ABUCHI IFESINACHI, AWKA
The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hassan Karma says it has arrested child traffickers including a couple who specializes in snatching newly born babies from their mothers in various hospitals across the state.
He made the disclosure while briefing newsmen on recent breakthrough by the state police command in Awka on Friday.
Karma said that the command was also in custody of some armed robbery/murder and kidnap suspects as well as suspects who specialized in producing fake number plates.
“For some time now, we have recorded incidences of child stealing where children of women who delivered in the hospitals are stolen.
“The Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the command arrested one Friday Chibueze, male and Amauche Chibueze, female who specialized in stealing new born babies in hospitals within the state and environs.
“They disguise as couple, move into hospitals and pretend to express happiness over the delivery of babies to unsuspecting mothers only to invite their gang members with guns, who forcefully snatch the babies.
“On interrogation the suspects, who confessed to have stolen 10 children in different hospitals mentioned a nurse, one Ogechi Okoye, female of the Reigns Hospital, Igboukwu as a conspirator.
“They also mentioned one Ebubechukwu Okpalu, female of Health Care Centre, Nnobi and Eberechuckwu Okala, female of Chidera Specialist Hospital, Uga as conspirators,” Karma said.
The commissioner said that the suspects were helping the police for possible arrest of another suspect said to be in possession of missing children.
According to him, the command marked another milestone in the war against insecurity with the arrest of one Agumba Okoli, male, Onyeama Chibuzor, male, Ebuka Akummadu, male and Chukwunonso Akummadu, male.
Karma said that the suspects specialised in using gun to kidnap new born babies in the hospitals within the state.
The police boss also disclosed that one Osita Nweke, 15, was arrested for breaking into the house of Madam Martha Ekulide at Umuodogu village Acahalla, near Awka.
“The suspect robbed her of beverages and other items and strangulated her to death before he escaped,” the police commissioner, stated.
He said that the command also arrested three suspected armed robbers with two toy guns in an attempt to rob passersby at Oguta road, Onitsha.
“One Chibuike Okafor who specialised in producing fake plate numbers for motor vehicles and motorcycles was also arrested.
“Items recovered include 526 pieces of motorcycle plate numbers of many states, 50 pieces of vehicle plate numbers of many states, receipts, vehicle license, insurance certificate, stamps, among others which he used in registering stolen vehicles and motorcycles,” he said.
According to him, the suspect works as a syndicate with people who specialised in snatching vehicles making it difficult to track down stolen vehicles.
Karma assured that the Police was ever determined to get to the roots of all crimes and criminalities in the state, especially in ensuring that the Christmas celebration was peaceful.
The commissioner however appealed to members of the public to volunteer information to security agencies, assuring that such information would be treated with confidentiality