A 42-year-old woman, Mrs. Ngozi Ede, and her daughter, Kosiso Ede, aged 17 years – both of No 4 Ukaegbu Junction, Awada, Onitsha in Anambra State – have been arrested by police detectives attached to Awada Division for alleged child stealing.

Initial Police investigative report available to the media indicated that the suspects conspired and stole four-year-old Mesoma Ikoko from the custody of her mother, Mrs. Nneka Ikoko, of Mammy market, Army Barracks, Onitsha.

According to a statement by the State Police Public Relations Officer (SPPRO), SP Haruna Mohammed, preliminary investigation led to the arrest of one Ifeoma Okeke, aged 45 years who allegedly collected the child from the suspects and handed him over to Ifeoma Okonkwo of Eke Nkpor.

While saying that the sum of N250,000 suspected to be part of the proceeds of the illicit transaction was recovered from the suspects as exhibit, Mohammed said the stolen baby has been recovered in good condition and handed over to her mother.

He said further investigation is on-going after which the suspects would be charged to court for prosecution.