The Abia State Police Command has arrested a couple, Blessing and Sunday Emebo, for operating an unregistered motherless babies’ home.
The arrest took place at their apartment on Ikot Ekpene Road in Aba, where 12 children were rescued.
The Command’s spokesperson, Maureen Chinaka, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday.
According to Chinaka, detectives from the Abia State Police Command, acting on credible intelligence, apprehended the suspects on May 19 at about 11:45 a.m.
She confirmed the operation was carried out at the couple’s residence, which was being used as an illegal facility.
Twelve children from various villages in Arochukwu Local Government Area, ranging in age from two months to 14 years, were found in their custody.
“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 been handed over to the Abia State Ministry of Women Affairs for proper care and custody.
She also confirmed that an investigation is ongoing, and the suspects are currently being interrogated at the State CID in Umuahia. They will be charged to court upon the conclusion of the investigation.
In her statement, Chinaka urged parents to be cautious and avoid leaving their children with unfamiliar individuals.
