The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has taken a woman, Christiana Ibanga, and her boyfriend, Inyene Akpan, into custody for allegedly selling their child for ₦450,000 in 2024.
State police spokesperson DSP Timfon John confirmed the arrest in a statement released on Wednesday.
According to John, the investigation began after a woman (whose identity is withheld) reported that Ibanga had taken her six-year-old daughter to an unknown location.
Upon receiving the report, police operatives launched an investigation, which led to the arrest of Ibanga and Akpan.
During questioning, the suspects allegedly admitted to selling their child with the assistance of an accomplice, Saviour Aniedi. Further findings revealed that Ibanga also worked with Aniedi and his wife to abduct the complainant’s daughter, who was later sold in Aba, Abia State, to an unidentified buyer.
The police statement read:
“On June 15, 2024, a woman from Afaha Atai Village in Ibesikpo Asutan LGA reported that Christiana Uwem Ibanga, a resident of Ekamba Nsukara Village in Uyo LGA, lured her six-year-old daughter away and took her to an unknown location.
“Acting swiftly on credible intelligence, our operatives arrested Christiana Uwem Ibanga and her boyfriend, Inyene Etuk Akpan, on January 14, 2025, in Abuja.
“During interrogation, the suspects admitted to selling their child in May 2024 for ₦450,000 with the assistance of Saviour Aniedi. Christiana further confessed to collaborating with Aniedi and his wife to abduct the complainant’s child, who was later sold in Aba, Abia State, to an unidentified buyer.”
John stated that efforts were underway to locate the buyer in Aba and that the investigation had made significant progress.
She added:
“On January 23, 2025, our investigators expanded their operations to Aba in pursuit of the buyer and the missing child.
“Although the suspects in Aba remain at large, the command assures the public that progress has been made, and their arrest is imminent.”
John also warned criminals to either change their ways or leave the state, emphasizing the police force’s dedication to maintaining security.
In a separate operation, police arrested several suspected drug dealers and seized weapons.
John explained that the arrests resulted from a police raid on areas known for criminal activity.
“As part of our ongoing efforts to eliminate crime, on January 26, 2025, the command conducted a targeted operation,” she stated.
The operation focused on crime hotspots, including hotels, brothels, and certain residences in Nto Nsek Village and surrounding areas, as part of efforts to curb illegal drug activities.
During the raid, a woman identified as Happiness Malachi George was taken into custody for allegedly selling Indian hemp and other prohibited substances.
“In a coordinated effort, officers also raided a brothel in Ikot Ebong Village, Odoro Ikot Clan, where two female suspects, Queen Sambo Umoren, 28, and Joy Chima Inyene-Obong Patrick Michael, 28, were arrested. Items recovered from them included substances suspected to be Indian hemp and a jackknife.
“Additionally, Ekemini-Abasi Micah Silas, 32, was apprehended for setting up an illegal roadblock in Ikot Ekpenyong Village, Odoro Ikot Clan. He was found with suspected illicit drugs. Some suspects managed to escape during the operation, but efforts are underway to track them down,” she added.
