The Police Command in Imo has arrested two suspected child traffickers and rescued two stolen children in separate operations.

The command’s spokesman, DSP Henry Okoye, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday.

Okoye said in a strong display of professionalism, operatives of the command rejected a N1m bribe to ensure justice prevailed in one of the operations.

“On Feb. 21, operatives of the Safer Highway Unit, while conducting a robust stop-and-search on the Owerri – Aba Express Road, apprehended one Eze Chika, 45.

“The suspect was found with a stolen four-year-old child.

“Initially, she claimed the child was hers but later admitted to purchasing the child from a suspected child trafficking syndicate in Aba for N1.8m,” Okoye stated.

According to him, in a desperate attempt to evade arrest, the suspect offered the officers N1m bribe, which was outrightly rejected.

He said the officers proceeded with the lawful arrest and ensured the safe rescue of the child.

He added that further investigations revealed possible links to a larger trafficking network, adding that more arrests are expected.

Okoye also said detectives of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) arrested a 32-year-old woman, Confidence Odo

for allegedly abducting her ex-neighbor’s son.

He said investigations revealed that Odoh, who was arrested on Feb. 4, stole the child while he was playing in the compound where he resides.

“The child was rescued and reunited with his parents, Mr and Mrs Michael Ududiri, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend possible accomplices.”

He reiterated the command’s commitment to combating child trafficking and other organised crimes in the state.

The police spokesman urged residents, particularly parents, to be vigilant and monitor their children closely.

He urged the public to report suspicious activities to the nearest Police Station or call any of the following numbers: 0803 477 3600 and 08148024755.

In a tragic incident, Kelvin Osamede Izekor is alleged to have killed his wife, Ugiagbe Osaiyekemwen Success Izekor, aged 38, merely eight months after their wedding in Edo State.

The event took place on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at No. 50 Upper Mission Extension, Benin City.

Sources reveal that the suspect used a hammer to fatally assault Success during a fierce argument.

A wedding invitation below indicates that the couple was married on Saturday, June 29, 2024, in Benin City.

A resident shared the couple’s wedding video in a post on X, expressing shock over the tragic incident.

The spokesperson for the Edo State Police Command, Moses Yamu, who confirmed the incident in a statement on Sunday, said the husband was about to be lynched by a mob before the police arrived, pacified them and arrested the suspect.

According to unconfirmed reports, the deceased was four months pregnant at the time of her murder.

Neighbours claimed Kelvin had been beating the deceased even before they got married but the abuse became frequent after their wedding.

They claimed that the suspect once attacked Success with a cutlass.

Suspected members of Boko Haram have launched an attack against Kwapre and surrounding villages in the Hong local government area of Adamawa state, resulting in widespread destruction.

Eyewitnesses reported that the attack commenced at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 25, and extended into the early hours of Wednesday, February 26. During this assault, educational facilities, residential homes, and businesses were engulfed in flames, and valuable items were looted.

Joel Kulaha, the head of Kwapre, along with Abalis Jawaja, the head of King village, recounted to our correspondent the terrifying events as heavily armed militants invaded the communities, setting fire to buildings and absconding with valuables.

It was gathered that no lives were lost, as residents had been forewarned of the attack and fled their homes before the insurgents arrived.

“We escaped with our lives, but everything we own is gone,” Kulaha lamented.

A source said soldiers stationed in nearby Garaha town responded after some time, engaging the attackers in a gun battle and forcing them to retreat.

However, the intervention came too late to prevent the extensive destruction.

Recall that Kwapre has suffered multiple Boko Haram attacks in the past, as Adamawa remains one of the three northeastern states hardest hit by the insurgency.