The Abia State Police Command has arrested a couple, Blessing and Sunday Emebo, for running an unregistered motherless babies’ home.
The arrest happened at their apartment on Ikot Ekpene Road in Aba, where authorities rescued 12 children.
The Command’s spokesperson, Maureen Chinaka, revealed this in a statement released on Monday.
Chinaka explained that detectives from the Abia State Police Command, acting on credible intelligence, apprehended the couple on May 19 at around 11:45 a.m.
She confirmed that the operation took place at the couple’s residence, which was being used as an illegal facility.
Twelve children, ranging in age from two months to 14 years, and coming from different villages in Arochukwu Local Government Area, were found in their care.
“Nine male children were found with the duo, which includes Ojiugo Caleb, 14, Christian Okoro, 12, Samuel Okoro, 13, Clinton Nkemakolam, 9, and Godwin Emmanuel, 10.
“Others are Osinachi Nkemakolam, 6, Marvelous Emmanuel, 5, David Emmanuel, 7 and Testimony Emebo, 2 months old.
“The females among the children are Ogechi Nkemakolam, 9, Chinaza Okoro, 9, and Anointing Okoro, 7,” she said.
Chinaka noted that the children have now been handed over to the Abia State Ministry of Women Affairs for proper care and custody.
She also confirmed that investigations are ongoing, with the suspects currently being interrogated at the State CID in Umuahia. They will be charged to court once the investigation is complete.
In her statement, Chinaka urged parents to be cautious and avoid leaving their children with unfamiliar people.
She also encouraged the public to report anyone suspiciously keeping children in their custody to the police.