Father Allegedly Puts 16-Month-Old Daughter Up For Sale In Abia

A man has been arrested in Abia State for allegedly attempting to sell his 16-month-old biological daughter for money.

The man was arrested alongside three other suspects by operatives of the State Criminal Investigation Department, Gender Unit, at a hotel in Obi, Obingwa Local Government Area of the state.

The suspects were apprehended on September 7, 2026, following allegations of conspiracy and child trafficking.

The Commissioner of Police, Wilfred Afolabi, disclosed the arrest while briefing journalists on the achievements of the command since he assumed office on August 10.

Afolabi said preliminary investigation established that the child was the biological daughter of one of the suspects. He said further investigation showed that the alleged attempt to traffic the child was motivated by the desire to make money.

“The suspects had been transferred from the Central Police Station, Umuahia, in connection with alleged conspiracy and child trafficking,” the commissioner said.

The police rescued the toddler and handed her over to the Ministry of Women Affairs for protection and appropriate care.

The four suspects remain in police custody as investigators probe the alleged attempt to sell the child and determine whether other persons were involved.

The commissioner also disclosed that the command had recorded more than 152 criminal cases and arrested over 220 suspects since his assumption of office.

He said nine kidnapped victims had been rescued, while 101 rounds of ammunition and cartridges and six stolen vehicles, including tricycles and motorcycles, were recovered.

Afolabi added that the command had dismantled two criminal networks during the period. He also disclosed the rescue of a medical doctor allegedly abducted by armed men on August 19. According to him, the victim was forced into his vehicle before the abductors fled towards Imo State.

The commissioner said vehicle-tracking technology and coordinated intelligence operations by the Abia and Imo State police commands led to the recovery of the vehicle and the rescue of the doctor in the early hours of August 20.

He said several suspects linked to the incident had been arrested, including individuals suspected of assisting with the movement or distribution of ransom money.

Afolabi said police operations were ongoing to apprehend other members of the suspected criminal network.