The Abia State Police Command has arrested four suspects over the alleged theft and trafficking of a four-day-old baby who was reportedly taken from her mother and sold to another person.

The suspects were identified as Gladys Nathaniel, 48; Victor Udochukwu, 47; Chijioke Obunwa, 59; and Onyeonoro Chinwe, 43.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Maureen Chinaka, said in a statement issued on Monday that operatives of the Violent Crimes Response Unit and Rapid Response Unit, Obehie, arrested the suspects on September 16 following what the command described as credible and actionable intelligence.

According to the police, preliminary investigations indicated that the suspects allegedly conspired to steal the four-day-old infant from her mother, whom the command described as mentally unstable, before subsequently selling the baby to another person.

Police said the investigation led to the rescue of both the baby and her mother.

The mother has since been released to her family for proper care and medical attention, while the infant was handed over to the Abia State Ministry of Women Affairs for protective custody.

The four suspects remain in police custody as investigators continue their probe at the State Criminal Investigation Department.

The police said the suspects would be charged to court after the conclusion of the investigation.

The Commissioner of Police in Abia State, CP Wilfred Olutokunbo Afolabi, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting vulnerable persons and bringing those found responsible for criminal offences to justice.

The case comes amid continuing concerns over child trafficking and the theft and illegal sale of newborns in parts of Nigeria.

The allegations against the four suspects have not been tested in court, and they are presumed innocent unless proven guilty by a competent court.