Police Apprehend A Female Leader Of A kidnapping Ring In Ebonyi And Rescue 6 children.

 Six children were freed from kidnappers, according to confirmation from the Ebonyi State Police Command.

The infamous kidnapping syndicate's boss, who was a specialist in snatching children from their parents in the state, was also detained by the police, according to a statement released by the command's spokesperson, DSP Joshua Ukandu.

The statement states that on January 21, 2024, a man named Nkwuda Francis reported to the Command that a woman who had rented a room in the compound and went by the name Mercy Francis, initially posing as a youth corps member, had abducted two small children from his home in Nwezenyi Igbeagu, Izzi LGA of Ebonyi State.  

The children, who were subsequently discovered to have been abducted by one Ngozi Blessing Abia, who turned out to be the suspect's real name, were three and seven years old, respectively, according to DSP Ukandu.

“Following a diligent investigation by officers attached to the Gender Unit of the Command, the suspect was located in Oba, Anambra State, where the children were rescued and returned to their family."  

Officers discovered the children in an orphanage in Benin City after conducting an inquiry there. The orphanage's owner has been taken into custody and is giving the police important information. 

The police spokesperson continued; "Additionally, one Chinasa Uwezoke from Lagos, upon learning of the arrest, visited the Command and identified the suspect as someone who had gained her trust and subsequently took her three children to the market, only to flee with her 3-year-old son.

"The boy was later recovered and reunited with his family after being sold by the suspect.” 

He mentioned that the suspect's strategy was to rent an apartment, get to know her gullible neighbours, win their trust, and kidnap their kids in exchange for financial benefit.

The PPRO said, "The Command hereby advises property owners and caretakers to thoroughly screen potential tenants and urges parents to educate their children about safety and stranger interactions."