Four Women Arrested, Newborn Rescued as Security Agency Busts Baby Trafficking Ring

Security operatives in Cross River State have rescued a newborn and broken up a suspected child trafficking syndicate in Akpabuyo Local Government Area.

On June 24, 2026, a team led by Comrade Eyo, Unit Commander of the Cross River State Homeland Safety & Security Agency (HSSA) in Akpabuyo, acted on credible intelligence and intercepted a commercial taxi at the Maternity Junction axis.

They found three women, Mary Solomon, 42, Patience Akumuruk, 46, and Juliet Efut, 43, with a newborn baby wrapped in a shawl.

The women initially told operatives they were transporting the infant to Obubra.

Solomon, identified as the prime suspect, said she had travelled from Obubra to Akpabuyo to give birth and had “put to bed” at a private delivery home in Akwa Ikot Effanga.

That same day, investigators tracked down the operator of the delivery home, Umoh Effiong Edet, popularly known as Glory.

Under questioning, Edet allegedly said the baby had been delivered by a young girl who was unable to care for the child.

Edet reportedly described a scheme known as “implanting,” in which clients such as Solomon are made to appear pregnant for up to a year, with induced physical changes such as abdominal swelling used to deceive spouses, family and neighbours.

A senior HSSA source familiar with the case explained how the scheme worked: “During this period, the real mother is housed secretly. When she delivers, the baby is handed over to the client for a fee, while the public believes it was a legitimate birth.”

All four suspects, Solomon, Akumuruk, Efut and Edet, have been handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) through its Operation Okwok office in Calabar for further investigation and prosecution.

HSSA said more arrests have followed the initial operation as investigators widen their probe into what appears to be a network exploiting vulnerable young mothers.

Efforts are ongoing to identify the infant’s biological mother and any other potential victims.

Speaking on Wednesday, July 1, HSSA’s DG South, Chief Michael Orok Nsan, commended the Akpabuyo unit’s swift response.

“This operation underscores our mandate to protect the most vulnerable. Homeland Security is not just about borders and forests; it’s about defending human lives in our communities. We commend Comrade Eyo and his team, and we urge citizens to continue using our tip-off channels,” Nsan said.