Suspected members of a child-stealing syndicate were on Tuesday paraded by the Anambra State Police Command.
The suspects who were paraded at the Ogidi Divisional Police Headquarters, Ogidi in Idemili North Council Area, include a couple, Ben and Elizabeth Nwobu.
The couple was nabbed by police operatives with the support of Nkpor vigilante outfit, with a two-year-old boy who they claimed was their biological child.
However, after much interrogation, it was discovered that the child was stolen.
In an interview, the suspects, Mr and Mrs Nwobu, claimed they adopted the child after seventeen years of childlessness, but said they did not follow the legal process of adoption.
Earlier while parading the suspects, the Police spokesperson in Anambra, Haruna Mohammed urged parents to be wary of the rising cases of child stealing in the state and protect their wards.
“Child stealing is a crime against humanity and anyone caught committing the crime would face the full wrath of the law. The state police command is committed to rooting out this evil from Anambra State,” Mohammed said.
He advised people who are in need of adopting children to go through the ministry of women and children affairs for the legalization of the procedure.
