Ndudi Anyim
Investigations into the criminal activity of 39-year-old Rejoice Raymond, who was reportedly involved in the assault and attempted murder of three children in her custody has shown that one Mrs Sabina Izuorah (currently on the run) aided the suspect to forge documents to adopt the children. The Command has therefore declared her wanted for child trafficking, child stealing and forgery.
According to the Anambra State Police Command, the suspect was involved in unlawful adoptions, using forged police reports, forged authorisation letters from the Ministry of Women’s Affairs and sworn court affidavits.
It was also learnt that the suspect sell children stolen from all parts of the country to her waiting customers, both within and outside Nigeria; including a recent attempt to smuggle out two children (a boy and a girl) allegedly stolen from Niger State since 2018.
Recall that Raymond and her 80-year-old mother, Mrs Chidi Nwafor, was arrested by police operatives attached to 3-3 Police Station, Nkwelle Ezunaka, in conjunction with the local vigilante group.
Operatives raided the home of the suspect at No.13 Akunwanta Mbamalu Street, Federal Housing Estate, 3-3 Area, Onitsha, and found three children (two boys and a girl) inside different rooms, subjected to physical and emotional torture without food.
Police said the suspect inflicted several wounds on the bodies of the children, leaving them unconscious and at the point of death.
“ The victims were badly battered with lacerations all over their body. One with a broken arm, was found in the pool of his blood, rescued and rushed to the hospital for medical attention.
“ Exhibits recovered at the scene included some fetish substances, blood stained canes, concoctions and other incriminating items.
“ Preliminary investigations revealed that the three children were allegedly sold to the suspects by a notorious child trafficking kingpin namely Sabina Izoura, who has been on police wanted list for child trafficking, child stealing and forgery.
“ Meanwhile, all the children recovered by the police are presently under the protective care of the Anambra State Ministry for Social Welfare, Women’s and Children’s Affairs, pending when their biological parents will surface.
“ Investigations are still ongoing and efforts are being intensified to apprehend other accomplices in order to bring them to justice,” the Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Haruna Mohammed, has said.
Mohammed added that the Commissioner of Police (CP), Monday Kuryas, has enjoined the Anambra people and the general public to apprehend or report at the nearest police station, or call police emergency number 07039194332, whenever they see Mrs Sabina Izuorah ‘formerly of Social welfare Dept Awka South Local Government Area (LGA), but recently transferred to Social Welfare Department Ihiala LGA.
“ She is presently at large and evading Police arrest in connection with the offence of child stealing, trafficking, forgery and perjury,” he said