The child was rescued at a hotel in Abia State after police allegedly uncovered a plot to traffic her for financial gain.
The Abia State Police Command has arrested a father and three other suspects over an alleged attempt to sell and traffic his 16-month-old daughter for financial gain.
The suspects were arrested on September 7, 2026, by operatives of the State Criminal Investigation Department, Gender Unit, at a hotel in Obi, Obingwa Local Government Area of the state. 
The Commissioner of Police, Wilfred Afolabi, disclosed the development on Friday while briefing journalists on the command’s achievements since he assumed office on August 10.
Afolabi said the suspects were transferred from the Central Police Station, Umuahia, in connection with alleged conspiracy and child trafficking.
According to the commissioner, preliminary investigations established that one of the suspects was the biological father of the child.
He added that further investigation indicated that the alleged attempt to traffic the girl was motivated by the suspects’ desire to make money.
The child was rescued and handed over to the Ministry of Women Affairs for protection, while the four suspects remained in police custody as investigations continued.
Police rescue nine kidnapped victims
Afolabi also disclosed that the command had recorded more than 152 criminal cases and arrested over 220 suspects since his assumption of office.
He said several of the cases had been investigated and charged to court.
According to him, the command also rescued nine kidnapped victims, recovered 101 rounds of ammunition and cartridges, recovered six stolen vehicles, including tricycles and motorcycles, and dismantled two criminal networks during the period under review.
Abducted doctor rescued
The commissioner further disclosed the rescue of a medical doctor who was allegedly abducted by armed men on August 19.
Afolabi said the doctor was forced into his vehicle by the assailants, who subsequently fled towards Imo State.
He explained that vehicle-tracking technology and coordinated intelligence operations involving the Abia and Imo State police commands led to the recovery of the vehicle and the rescue of the victim in the early hours of August 20.
Several suspects allegedly linked to the incident, including individuals suspected of assisting with the movement or distribution of ransom money, have been arrested.
The police, however, said efforts were ongoing to apprehend other members of the alleged criminal network.
In another major operation, Afolabi disclosed the arrest of a suspect allegedly linked to an armed robbery and kidnapping incident along the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway in Aba.
The suspect was reportedly arrested after a female victim was robbed of her Toyota Highlander, mobile phones, handbag and other personal belongings.
