CROSS RIVER STATE POLICE COMMAND
PRESS RELEASE:
17TH JULY, 202
ARREST OF NURSE AND ACCOMPLICE INVOLVED IN CHILD TRAFFICKING – BABY RESCUED UNHARMED AT OGOJA LGA
The Cross River State Police Command, under the leadership of Commissioner of Police, CP Rashid B. Afegbua, PSC, mnips, wishes to clarify the facts surrounding the recent incident involving a nurse arrested in connection with child trafficking.
On the 15th of July 2025, at approximately 2:00 PM, operatives of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), in collaboration with an international NGO—Caritas International—and with the support of the Ogoja Divisional Police Headquarters, successfully apprehended two female suspects linked to a case of child trafficking reported on July 5th, 2025, at Okuku Market in Yala LGA.
The suspects are:
Paulina Banku Otu (female) – a nurse employed at Ogoja General Hospital the prime suspect, and
Regina Abuashia (female) – a staff of Ogoja Local Government Council, identified as the buyer of the child.
Following detailed investigation and intelligence gathering, the joint team, alongside the child’s biological mother, Mrs. Maria Ogar, located and arrested both suspects. The stolen child, Purity Lehi Sunday (female, age 2), was found unharmed and was reunited with her mother at the Ogoja Police Station.
Both suspects confessed to the crime during interrogation and have since been transferred to the State NAPTIP Office in Calabar for further investigation and prosecution under relevant laws.
The Command is aware of a misleading video circulating on social media platforms regarding this incident. We wish to categorically state that the video misrepresents the facts and appears to be a deliberate attempt to discredit the Police and incite public unrest.
The Cross River State Police Command urges social media influencers, bloggers, and content creators to adhere to responsible journalism ethics and verify facts before publication. The spreading of false or sensational narratives carries serious legal consequences and can hinder the course of justice.
The Command remains unwavering in its commitment to protect lives, uphold the law, and combat crimes such as child trafficking across the State.
SP Ugbo Irene, ANIPR
Police Public Relations Officer
For: Commissioner of Police
Cross River State Command