The child was allegedly stolen by Chioma Anioma, an apprentice in the victim’s household. After realising police were closing in, Chioma reportedly sold the child and fled to Calabar, Cross River State, to evade arrest.

The girl was abducted in Atani, Ogbaru Local Government Area, but was rescued in Nnobi, Idemili LGA, after being sold.

This information was released in a press statement by the Anambra State Police Command Spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, on Saturday.

Ikenga confirmed that officers from the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu, recovered the child in the early hours of Friday through persistent, intelligence-led operations. The child has since been safely reunited with her parents.

The statement read in part: “The Anambra State Police Command wishes to inform the public that operatives attached to the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu, successfully recovered a stolen three-year-old girl following a case transferred from Ogbaru Division, Atani, involving conspiracy, child stealing, and harbouring.

“The operatives rescued the child at Nnobi, Idemili South LGA, and have since reunited her with her parents.

“Preliminary investigations revealed the child was stolen by Miss Chioma Anioma, an apprentice in the victim’s family. Upon realising police were closing in, the suspect fled to Calabar after selling the child to another suspect who remains at large.

“To evade further police pursuit, Chioma abandoned the child at Nnobi before alerting the parents to her location.

“Intensive efforts continue to identify and arrest all suspects involved in the abduction and trafficking syndicate.”