PRESS RELEASE
Abia Command Apprehends Suspects for Child Stealing Rescues Victims and Reunites Them with Family
*Suspects*
1.Vera Imiobong Udoyang, Female, 30 years Etimekpo LGA Akwa Ibom State
2.Chioma Duru Ukanwoke, Female, 40 years Amaraku Isiala Mbano Imo State
3.Ezinne Ukandu, Female, 41 years Obingwa LGA Abia State
*Rescued Children*
1.Caleb Tamunoye Paul, Male, 3 years, Okrika, Rivers State
2.Joy David, Female, 3 years, Okrika, Rivers State
*Facts of the Case*
1. On 10/05/2026, leveraging on actionable intelligence, operatives of Akwete Divisional Police Headquarters, in collaboration with community vigilantes, apprehended one Vera Imiobong Udoyang, in Abia State, who was found with the above-mentioned children. Upon interrogation, she confessed to stealing the children after luring them with donuts and soft drinks at Ozoaporo in Okrika, Rivers State, where she resides.
2. Preliminary investigations revealed that Vera Imiobong Udoyang was earlier contacted by Chioma Duru Ukanwoke, who in turn was contacted by Ezinne Ukandu. Ezinne Ukandu had allegedly been contacted by a certain welfare officer identified as Chioma, who is currently at large, to source for a male child aged about three (3) years or arrange for adoption from any family willing to give out a child.
3. The three suspects, Vera Imiobong Udoyang, Chioma Duru Ukanwoke and Ezinne Ukandu are in police custody , while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the said welfare officer, Chioma, who is at large. The rescued children have been safely reunited with their parents and investigation is ongoing at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID )
4. The Commissioner of Police, Abia State Command, CP Danladi Isa, urges members of the public to remain security conscious, ensure the safety of their children, and advise them not to accept items from strangers or follow unknown persons. He further advised the public to report any suspicious individuals seen with children to the nearest police station or through the Command’s emergency hotlines: 👇
08035415405, 08079210004
08079210005, 08079210006
*Together as Partners in Crime Prevention; We Keep Abia Safe*
See Something, Say Something
Signed
DSP Maureen Chioma Chinaka
LLB, anipr, MNISMA
Police Public Relations Officer
For: Commissioner of Police
Abia State Command
17th May 2026
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