Police arrest couple for allegedly selling child for N450,000

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested Christiana Ibanga and her boyfriend, Inyene Akpan, for allegedly trafficking their child and selling the baby for ₦450,000.

The suspects were paraded alongside others at the command headquarters in Ikot-Akpanabia, Uyo, on Wednesday, January 29.

The Command spokesperson, DSP Timfon John, revealed that the arrest followed a tip-off from a woman whose identity was withheld. The woman claimed that Ibanga had lured her six-year-old daughter and taken her to an undisclosed location.

DSP John stated that further investigations led to the apprehension of the suspects, who are now facing charges related to child trafficking and abduction.

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“On June 15, 2024, a woman from Afaha Atai Village, Ibesikpo Asutan LGA, reported that one Christiana Uwem Ibanga of Ekamba Nsukara Village, Uyo LGA, lured her six-year-old daughter away to an undisclosed location.

Acting swiftly, our operatives launched an investigation and arrested Ibanga and her boyfriend, Inyene Etuk Akpan, on January 14, 2025, in Abuja,” John said

When interrogated, the suspects confessed to selling their child in May 2024 for N450,000 with the help of one Saviour Aniedi.

Ibanga further admitted to conspiring with Aniedi and his wife to steal the complainant’s child, who was later sold in Aba, Abia State, to an unidentified buyer.

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has since launched a manhunt in Aba to locate the buyer and rescue the stolen child.

“On January 23, 2025, our investigators extended their operations to Aba in pursuit of the buyer and the missing child. While the suspects in Aba remain elusive, we have made significant progress, and their arrest is imminent,” the PPRO added.

She warned criminals operating in the state to either turn a new leaf or face the full wrath of the law.