Mother, daughter in police net over baby’s theft

•’Suspects sold baby for N250,000′

A 42-year-old woman and her daughter have been arrested for allegedly stealing a four-year old baby, Mesoma Ikoko, in Onitsha, Anambra State.

The suspects, Ngozi Ede and Kosiso Ede, 17, were alleged to have stolen the baby from the custody of her mother.

The Nation gathered that the suspects had allegedly sold the baby for N250,000 to another woman before they were apprehended.

Confirming the incident, police spokesman Mohammed Haruna said the suspects and the buyer were arrested following discreet investigation.

He said the N250,000 had been recovered from the suspects as exhibit.

Haruna said: “On February 13, at about 5:20pm, detectives attached to Awada Division arrested Ngozi Ede, female, aged 42, and her daughter, Kosiso Ede, female, aged 17, of 4, Ukaegbu junction, Awada.

“The suspects conspired and stole Mesoma Ikoko, aged four, from the custody of her mother, Nneka Ikoko, female, of Mammy Market, Army Barracks, Onitsha on February 10.

“Preliminary investigation further led to the arrest of Ifeoma Okeke, female, aged 45, who collected the child from the suspects and handed her over to one Ifeoma.”

Read also: Man charged with phone theft

In a related case, two persons, Nwakaeze Chukwuebuka, 29, and John Udechukwu, 28, were arrested for alleged threat to kidnap a 58-year-old woman in Ihialla.

The suspects were alleged to have demanded N2million ransom.

Haruna confirmed the incident, saying the case is being investigated.

He said: “On February 8, at about 9pm, following intelligence report, detectives attached to the command’s Special Anti-robbery Squad arrested some suspects.

“The suspects on February 4 threatened to kidnap Mrs. Anatestial Orji, female, aged 58, of Umueze ihiala, through a strange phone call or pay N2million ransom.”

Haruna said the suspects had confessed.

He listed the exhibits recovered from them to include the phone used in carrying out the crime.