Edo police uncover child trafficking plot in Uromi as a newborn is rescued, suspects arrested, cash recovered, and authorities vow tougher action statewide.
The Edo State Police Command has recorded a major breakthrough in its fight against crimes involving vulnerable persons with the arrest of three suspects linked to the alleged sale of a newborn baby in Uromi, Edo Central Senatorial District.
The case, which came to light through a citizen’s tip-off, has sparked renewed public concern about the growing sophistication of illegal networks targeting infants and desperate mothers.
According to official police accounts, the operation was triggered when a concerned resident, identified as Ebhomien Matthew Asibor, reported suspicious activity involving a woman who had recently given birth.
The information suggested that arrangements were already underway to exchange the newborn for a large sum of money.
Acting on the report, police operatives attached to the Iruekpen Divisional Headquarters moved swiftly to investigate, setting in motion a series of arrests that would eventually expose an alleged child trafficking arrangement.
The first suspect taken into custody was Martina Dachung, the mother of the newborn baby boy.
Police sources disclosed that preliminary investigations indicated she had agreed to part with the child in exchange for ₦1.4 million.
Upon her arrest, further questioning reportedly led officers to other individuals believed to have played supporting roles in the transaction.
This development expanded the scope of the investigation from a single act to a coordinated effort involving multiple actors.
Subsequent police action led to the arrest of a nurse, Matron Ighalo Grace, who is said to be affiliated with Eguavon Medical Centre in Uromi, as well as another suspect, Oha Promise.
Investigators believe the suspects collaborated to facilitate the sale, using the medical facility as a point of contact and cover.
Authorities allege that the involvement of healthcare personnel points to a troubling trend in which trusted institutions are exploited to carry out child trafficking activities under the guise of legitimate care.
During the operation, the newborn baby was safely recovered and immediately placed under protective care.
Police also confirmed that evidence of the transaction, including the sum of ₦1,400,000 allegedly paid for the child, was retrieved.
The recovery of both the infant and the funds is seen by authorities as a critical success, not only in preserving the child’s safety but also in strengthening the case against the suspects as they prepare for prosecution over alleged child trafficking offenses.
The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eno Ikoedem, stated that the suspects are currently in custody and that investigations are ongoing to determine whether there are additional accomplices or a wider network operating within or beyond Edo State.
She emphasized that cases involving the sale of children are treated with utmost seriousness due to their long-term psychological and social impact on victims.
Beyond the immediate arrests, the case has reopened conversations about the socio-economic pressures that often contribute to such crimes.
Analysts note that poverty, lack of social support, and limited access to maternal healthcare can push vulnerable women into making desperate decisions.
While these factors do not excuse criminal behavior, they highlight the need for stronger social safety nets and public awareness campaigns aimed at preventing child trafficking before it occurs.
Community leaders in Uromi have also weighed in, commending the police for their swift response while urging residents to remain vigilant.
They stressed that the successful rescue of the newborn demonstrates the power of community-police collaboration.
Without the timely report from a concerned citizen, the outcome might have been far worse, reinforcing the idea that combating child trafficking requires collective responsibility.
The Commissioner of Police in Edo State, CP Monday Agbonika, fdc, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to sustaining pressure on criminal elements across the state.
He noted that crimes involving children would continue to receive priority attention and warned that anyone found exploiting infants for financial gain would face the full weight of the law.
According to him, the command is strengthening intelligence gathering and inter-agency cooperation to dismantle networks engaged in child trafficking and related offenses.
Legal experts observing the case say it could set an important precedent if successfully prosecuted.
They point out that convictions in such cases send a strong deterrent message and encourage more citizens to report suspicious activities.
Child rights advocates, meanwhile, are calling for comprehensive rehabilitation plans for rescued infants and stricter oversight of private medical facilities to prevent abuse of trust.
As the investigation continues, the Edo State Police Command has renewed its appeal to the public to provide timely and credible information that can help prevent crimes and protect the most vulnerable members of society.
The rescued newborn remains safe, and authorities have assured that the child’s welfare will remain a top priority throughout the legal process.
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