In a disturbing case of child trafficking, an Akwa Ibom couple has been arrested for allegedly selling their own child for N450,000. The pair, identified as Christiana Ibanga and her boyfriend Inyene Akpan, were apprehended by the Akwa Ibom State Police Command after a tip-off that led to an investigation.
The arrest came after a complaint was lodged by a woman from Afaha Atai Village, Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area, alleging that Ibanga lured her six-year-old daughter away to an undisclosed location. On June 15, 2024, the woman reported that her child had been taken under suspicious circumstances by Ibanga. According to police reports, the investigation into the matter eventually uncovered a far more sinister plot involving the child’s parents.
Speaking at a press briefing in the state capital, Uyo, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of Akwa Ibom State, DSP Timfon John, explained that the complaint from the distraught mother set the police on high alert. “On June 15, 2024, a woman from Afaha Atai Village reported that Christiana Ibanga lured her six-year-old daughter away to an undisclosed destination,” DSP John stated.
The police immediately launched a swift investigation that culminated in the arrest of Ibanga and Akpan on January 14, 2025, in Abuja. The couple reportedly confessed to selling their child, whom they had kept hidden until their plot was discovered. The sale, they revealed, took place in May 2024 for the sum of N450,000.
During questioning, Ibanga allegedly confessed to conspiring with one Saviour Aniedi, who, along with his wife, played a role in stealing the child from the unsuspecting mother. The child was later sold to an unknown buyer in Aba, Abia State. The police have since intensified their efforts in Aba to locate the buyer and rescue the child.
“We are doing everything possible to locate the buyer and rescue the child. Our operatives are working tirelessly, and we believe we are close to making a breakthrough,” DSP John remarked. He also expressed his concern over the growing trend of child trafficking in the region, emphasizing the importance of community vigilance in preventing such heinous acts.
The investigation into the trafficking operation has expanded beyond the initial arrests. Following the uncovering of the child trafficking case, the police extended their search to Aba, where the transaction took place. On January 23, 2025, police investigators moved to Aba in pursuit of the buyer and the missing child. However, despite making significant progress, the buyer and the child remain elusive.
“We have made significant progress in our search, and we believe the buyer’s arrest is imminent,” DSP John added. Authorities are confident that the person responsible for purchasing the child will soon be apprehended. In the meantime, the Akwa Ibom State Police Command has issued a stern warning to all criminals operating in the state, urging them to reconsider their actions or face the full force of the law.
“We are sending a strong message to criminals. Whether you are involved in child trafficking or other illegal activities, we will not relent in our efforts to bring you to justice,” DSP John declared.
The arrest of Ibanga and Akpan has raised serious questions about the ease with which parents and others involved in trafficking can exploit vulnerable children for financial gain. It also highlights the ever-growing problem of child trafficking in Nigeria, with authorities working relentlessly to dismantle trafficking rings that target children for various illicit purposes.
Meanwhile, while focusing on the child trafficking case, the Akwa Ibom State Police Command has been conducting a wider crackdown on criminal activities in the region. Multiple arrests have been made, particularly targeting illicit drug dealers and criminal hideouts.
On January 22, 2025, during one of their raids, the police arrested a woman named Happiness George for allegedly selling Indian hemp and other illegal substances. In a separate operation, two women, Queen Sambo Umoren and Joy Chima, were apprehended in Ikot Ebong Village for their involvement in selling illegal substances.
In yet another operation, Ekemini-Abasi Silas was arrested for setting up an illegal roadblock at Ikot Ekpenyong Village, where he was found in possession of suspected illicit drugs. The police have made it clear that these arrests are part of a broader effort to curb crime in the state, with the focus shifting to both organized crime and street-level drug trafficking.
As the investigation into the child trafficking case continues, police authorities in Akwa Ibom have stressed the need for increased community awareness and cooperation in reporting criminal activities. They have also urged parents to be more vigilant and protect their children from individuals who may seek to exploit them.
“The protection of our children should be a priority for all of us. Parents, communities, and law enforcement must work together to ensure that our children grow up in a safe environment,” DSP John concluded.
