Police Arrest Apprentice, Two Others over Sale of Abducted Toddler

Chiemelie Ezeobi

Operatives of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Lagos State Command, have arrested a female apprentice, one Grace John, who abducted her mistress’ three-year-old daughter.

She was arrested alongside two others after they had abducted the toddler, Oluwasemilore Adebiyi,
two months ago from the Alagbado area of Lagos and sold her for over N1million to buyers in Abia State.

THISDAY had reported two months ago that the toddler’s mother, Mrs. Oluwatobiloba Adebiyi, had allowed her to follow the apprentice to go buy some snacks.
Moments later, it dawned on the mother that her daughter was abducted after waiting endlessly for John, who had by then switched off her phone.

Since her abduction, the distraught parents were not contacted for any ransom to suggest that their daughter could have been kidnapped, until yesterday’s arrest by the operatives.

According to police sources: “We used Grace as a bait to get the first buyer in Onitsha. Grace was arrested at the Badagry area of Lagos and she led us to the Eastern part of the country where the child was rescued unhurt.
“She called the woman she sold the baby to on phone, informing her that she had another child to sell. The woman came to meet her at a bus-stop, where she was apprehended.

“The first suspect led us to another person she sold the child to for N500,000 in Awka, who in turn, led us to the third buyer whom they sold the child to for N600,000 .

“The third buyer was also at the verge of selling the child to the fourth buyer when she was rescued. So far three persons have been arrested.”

As at 5pm yesterday , Oluwasemilore’s elated parents were still at the Abia State Police command to receive their baby.

Her father, Mr. Elesh Adebiyi, said “We give God praise and also thank the media and the police for the assistance rendered. Our daughter is hale and hearty.

“Only that they cut her hair. Before she was abducted, she plaited her hair. Aside that, she is okay. We are grateful to the FSARS and the Nigeria Police in general. This feat has further reaffirmed my confidence in the our police.”