Edo police rescue 14-month-old baby abducted by househelp and sold for N500,000 despite N160k ransom payment

Operatives of the Edo State Police Command have rescued a 17-month-old baby, Grace Osamagbe, who was abducted by a house help, Rejoice Chukwu in Benin city. 

The State Commissioner of Police, CP Umoru ozigi, who disclosed this while briefing newsmen at the weekend, said that Chukwu and her boyfriend, Destiny Uchechukwu abducted the child in April, 2024 and sold her for N500,000 to one Doris Chiwendu in Owerri despite collecting a ransom of N160,000 from the victim’s parents. 

“Following a report by one Jacob Egharevba of Iguosa housing Estate Oluku, Benin city that his 7 months old granddaughter named Osamagbe Grace was abducted by her househelp in April, 2024, operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping and Cyber Crime Unit, arrested one Rejoice Samuel Chukwu 24yrs and her boyfriend one Destiny Uchechukwu 28yrs at Peptic junction, Uyo in Akwa-Ibom state,” the CP stated. 

“The duo jointly abducted the victim and absconded, despite collecting a ransom of One Hundred and Sixty Thousand naira N160,000.00k.

“During interrogation, the suspects admitted to have sold the victim for Five Hundred Thousand Naira (#500,000) only, to one Doris Chiwendu in Owerri, Imo State. 

“On 09/11/2024 at about 1240hrs, the said Doris Chiwendu and one Jane Amaigbo were arrested at Ubomiri area of Imo State, and the victim Osamagbe Grace now 1yr 2months old was rescued and reunited with her parents. 

“Suspects would soon be charged to court.”