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Couple sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for selling babies in Cross River

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The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons has secured the conviction of a couple for trafficking babies in Cross River State.

The convicts, Esther Ini Udo, 32, and Eyo Stephen Udo, 34, were sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment each by the Federal High Court sitting in Calabar.

According to a statement issued by NAPTIP on Thursday, April 2, 2026, the couple were arraigned on a four-count charge bordering on buying and selling of babies for exploitation, contrary to provisions of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015.

“Today, the 1st day of April, 2026, Cross State Command Secured two(2) convictions in FRN VS ESTHER INI UDO & EYO STEPHEN UDO – CHARGE NO. FHC/CA/19C/2025. The convicts were charged with 4 counts charge bordering on buying and selling of babies for exploitation contrary to Ss. 13(4)(a)(c) & (e), 21 and 27 of TIPPEA Act, 2015,” the statement read.

“1st convict sold her newborn baby to one Oluchi Judith, who is at large for the sum of N300,000.00 (Three Hundred Thousand Naira Only). Also, the two Convicts bought a 1-year-old baby boy for the sum of N150,000.00 (One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira Only) from Blessing and Uduak (both Convicts) and resold the said baby to the same Oluchi Judith for the sum of N400,000.00 (Four Hundred Thousand Naira Only.”

The statement noted that the offences formed the basis of the charge marked FHC/CA/19C/2025, filed on March 19, 2025.

The couple pleaded not guilty to the charges

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Delivering judgment on April 1, 2026, the trial judge, Justice I. Ojukwu, sentenced Esther Udo to 15 years’ imprisonment with an option of N2m fine.

Her husband, Eyo Udo, was also sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment with an option of N2m fine.

The court held that the sentences would run concurrently from the date of judgment.

Justice Ojukwu condemned the act, warning members of the public against engaging in child trafficking for financial gain.

The court also directed NAPTIP to arrest the alleged buyer, Oluchi Judith, for prosecution over her alleged involvement in trafficking activities.

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Crime

Police arrest three suspected kidnappers, rescue 18-year-old victim in Abia

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The Abia State Police Command has arrested three suspected kidnappers and rescued an 18-year-old victim, Ifeoma Obinna, in Umuimo Community, Osisioma Ngwa.

The spokesperson for the command, DSP Maureen Chioma Chinaka, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, 8th October 2026.

According to the PPRO, the suspects, Chidozie Rainbow Hezekiah,65, Brave Rainbow, 21, Innocent Otodirichu,21, abducted the victim and demanded N5m ransom from her mother.

Chinada added that two daggers and the victim’s phone were recovered while efforts are ongoing to apprehend other members of the gang.

“Sequel to a distress call received at the Anti-Kidnapping Unit on 04/10/2026, that an unknown caller called Mrs. Obinna and demanded the sum of N5,000,000 (Five Million Naira) if they wanted to see their missing daughter,” the statement read.

“Leveraging on actionable intelligence, the above suspects were apprehended by the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, Abia State Command, in Umuimo Community, Osisioma Ngwa.

“The victim was rescued and exhibits recovered, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend other gang members of the syndicate.

“The Commissioner of Police, Abia State Command, CP Wilfred Olutokunbo Afolabi, reiterates the Command’s commitment to combating kidnapping and other forms of criminality in the state.

“He further assures members of the public that the Command will continue to leverage actionable intelligence, community partnerships, and other operational strategies to ensure the safety and security of residents.

“Members of the public are therefore encouraged to remain vigilant and provide the Police with useful information by reporting to the nearest police station or contacting the Command through its dedicated hotlines.

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“Together we keep Abia safe
See Something Say Something.”

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Three suspects arrested over alleged m8rder of 65-year-old woman accused of witchcraft in Niger State

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The Niger State Police Command has arrested three suspects over the alleged m8rder of a 65-year-old woman accused of witchcraft.

The spokesperson for the command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, October 8, 2026.

According to the PPRO, one of the suspects, Mohammed Sani, allegedly trespassed into the residence of the victim identified as Tani Nuhu, in Kokolo village and k!lled her.

Further investigation led to the arrest of Isa Lamaran and Abdullahi Hamidu.

During interrogation, Mohammed revealed that he was contracted and invited as a wizard by Lamaran, Hamidu and one other suspect, Rufa’i Gado, currently at large, to k!ll three elderly women in the community over allegations that they were witches.

“On 03/10/2026 at about 2pm, a report was received at Nasko Div from Kokolo Village that one Mohammed Sani 35yrs of Kebbi state trespassed into the residence of a community member, and k!lled one Tani Nuhu, a female of 65yrs inside the house,” the statement read.

“On receipt of the report, detectives from Nasko Div were deployed to the scene and in the course of investigation, the following suspects were arrested; Mohammed Sani 35yrs of Kebbi State, Isa Lamaran 65yrs of Kokolo village via Auna District and Abdullahi Hamidu of the same address.

“During interrogation, Mohammed revealed that he was contracted and invited as a wizard who can detect witches by Isa Lamaran, Hamidu and one other suspect, Rufa’i Gado of Kokolo village currently at large, to k!ll three elderly women in the community over allegations that they were witches.

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“He confessed that Isa gave him a hoe to use in perpetrating the crime while Abdullahi promised to give him two plots of land and his daughter’s hand in marriage if he succeed.

“Consequently, Mohammed succeeded in k!lling one victim, Tani and grievously injured another before his arrest.

“All suspects are currently in custody at SCID Minna undergoing further investigation with a view to arrest the other accomplice after which they will be charged to court for criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide and causing grievous hurt.”

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PHOTOS: 130 supects arrested as FBI raids Ghana fraud center

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One hundred and thirty persons have been arrested after men of the Federal Bureau of Investigation FBI raided a suspected fraud compound in Ghana and arrested more than 130 people.

The FBI Director, Kash Patel, disclosed this in a post shared on his official X account on Thursday.

Patel said the operation, codenamed “Operation Blackout”, was carried out in the week as part of the FBI’s efforts to dismantle global scam centres.

“OPERATION BLACKOUT: This is the FBI’s global scam-centre fraud demolition. Another takedown this week out of Ghana,” Patel wrote.

He said the operation had so far resulted in nearly $10m in identified losses, 89 victims identified, more than 130 individuals arrested or detained, including victims who would be repatriated to their home countries, and more than 300 devices seized.

“Investigation is ongoing. These scam compounds target American citizens and destroy lives – and this @FBI is crushing them in every corner of the world. More to come,” he said.

Patel also gave an update on the overall Operation Blackout figures, saying roughly $17bn had been seized, hundreds of alleged scammers arrested and thousands of trafficked workers freed.

He added that more than 10,000 Americans had been warned before losing their money, while an estimated $670m in losses had been prevented.

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