Man fleeing with stolen five-year-old child arrested in Anambra

The Anambra State Police Command has arrested 32-year-old Joshua Simeon for stealing a five-year-old child at the Nkpor Central Park, Idemili North Local Government Area of the state.

Simeon, a native of Ohaozara in Ebonyi State, was arrested while fleeing with the child after forcibly taking her away from her parents living in Umuota Village Obosi, in Idemili North Local Government Area of the state.

This was disclosed in a press statement issued by the command’s spokesman, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, on Sunday.

Ikenga said police operatives attached to the Ogidi Area Command, acting on credible information arrested the suspects on Saturday.

He said, “Police operatives attached to the Ogidi Area Command acting on credible information on February 1, 2025, by 4 pm arrested one Joshua Simeon, ‘M’, aged 32 years from Ohaozara in Ebonyi State at the Nkpor Central Park, Idemili North Local Government Area.

“The team also recovered a five-year-old girl, Nkemdilim Jacob, allegedly taken away by the suspect from her parents living in Umuota Village Obosi, idemili North Local Government Area.

“The suspect had already boarded a commercial vehicle and was en route to an unknown destination when he was arrested.”

According to him, the suspect is in custody and currently undergoing interrogation to ascertain his motives and determine whether this incident is part of a larger child trafficking network.

“Efforts are also ongoing to reach out to the parents/relatives of the recovered child for possible reunion.

“The command is committed to protecting vulnerable members of the society, to combat child abduction/trafficking and to ensure the safety and well-being of all children in the State,” he added.