The police in Ebonyi have apprehended a woman identified as Ngozi Blessing Abia, alias Mercy Francis, for her involvement in the abduction and sale of children. She was captured after a diligent investigation, leading to the rescue of six children.
According to DSP Joshua Ukandu, the suspect’s strategy involves befriending parents before kidnapping their children for sale. The investigation began in January 2024 when a parent reported the abduction of two children, aged 3 and 7, by someone posing as a member of the National Youth Service Corps.
Following thorough investigation by the gender unit of the police command, the suspect was traced to Oba, Anambra State, where the abducted children were rescued and reunited with their family.
Further inquiries revealed that the suspect had abducted children in Ebonyi, Anambra, and Edo states, selling them to an orphanage home in Benin, Edo State. Lovina Iwuorah and Ndifereke Wisdom Clement, whose children were among the victims, identified the suspect as the perpetrator.
Chinasa Uwezoke from Lagos also identified the suspect as the person who deceived her and absconded with her 3-year-old son. Thankfully, the boy was located and reunited with his family.
The suspect’s pattern involves renting an apartment, gaining the trust of neighbors, and then kidnapping children for financial gain. The police advise property owners to thoroughly vet potential tenants and parents to educate their children about safety and avoiding strangers.
