Prime Suspect, Erica
By ERIC MOORE
SIX persons have been arrested by Police operatives in connection with the missing and selling of a six-month-old boy in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Though, the State Police Command is yet to officially confirm the development, it was gathered that the suspects are in Police custody, while the baby has been rescued and reunited with the family.
Pentoks News gathered that detectives attached to Mile 1 Divisional Police headquarters Diobu, Port Harcourt, carried out the operation and rescued a child, Lucky Sunday, allegedly kidnapped by Mr Erica.
The suspect is the child’s parents’ co-tenant at No. 25 Anekelane Street, Mile 2 Diobu in the state capital.
The child got missing from the compound on Sunday, September 29, 2024.
It was reportedly gathered that Erica abducted the six-month-old boy and fled to Uyo, Akwa/Ibom State.
Detectives from Mile 1 Police Division trailed the suspect to Uyo, arrested him and brought him back to Port Harcourt two weeks ago.
According to sources, Erica said he sold the baby for N500,000.
Sources disclosed that, the prime suspect revealed to the Police during interrogation that the person who bought the child, took the baby to Enugu State.
One of the sources who did not want to be mentioned said that, following discreet investigation, the detectives attached to Mile 1 Police Division rescued the child on Sunday, November 3, 2024 and arrested the female buyer and four other suspects, bringing the total to six suspects who are currently detained at Mile 1 Police Station, Diobu, Port Harcourt
The father of the child, Anekan Sunday, confirmed the rescue of the child and arrest of six suspects, but did not give further details.
Meanwhile, a rights advocate, Prince Wiro, who is also the National Coordinator of Centre for Basic Rights Protection and Accountability, has commended the Police officers for their hard work and due diligence in rescuing the child and arresting six suspects.