Police Uncover Child Trafficking Ring, Rescue 11 Children In Anambra

The Anambra State Police Command has uncovered a child trafficking ring, leading to the rescue of 11 kidnapped children and the arrest of a suspect.

A statement on Friday by the police spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the operation was carried out on July 15 in Uruagu, Nnewi North Local Government Area.

According to him, the operation involved officers from the Anambra State Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Awka, working together with the Adamawa State Police Command.

He said that during the raid, police arrested a 43-year-old woman, Uche Okoye, believed to be a key figure in the trafficking syndicate.

Ikenga added that eleven children including five boys and six girls, between the age of three and six years were rescued.

Police Investigations revealed that the children had been abducted from Adamawa State and were being sold to unsuspecting individuals looking to adopt.

Ikenga revealed that the boys were being sold for N1.5 million each, while the girls were priced at N800,000.

The statement read in part, “The police operatives attached to the Anambra State Criminal Investigation Department, Awka on July 15, 2025, complemented the efforts of the officers of Adamawa State Police Command on investigation activities to record a breakthrough in busting an interstate child stealing/abduction and trafficking syndicate.

“The intelligence-driven operation led to the arrest of one female suspect, Uche Okoye aged 43 years, and the rescue of eleven children, (five boys and six girls), ranging in age from three to six years, in Uruagu, Nnewi, Anambra State.

“The suspect is believed to be a major link in the abduction of children and the trafficking network operating between states.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the children were abducted/stolen and transported from Adamawa and illegally given to unsuspecting members of the public seeking adoption for N1.5 million for the boys and N800,000 only for the girls respectively.

“The rescued children were handed over to the Assistant Commissioner of Police Shuaibu Wara, Team Leader of the Operatives from Adamawa Police Command, for possible reuniting with their families and biological parents.”

“Meanwhile, the Command is working on the information provided by the suspect for the possible arrest and prosecution of other members of the syndicate.

“The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State, CP Ikioye Uche Orutugu, fwc MNIPS PhD*, while commending the Operatives involved in the operation, especially the Adamawa State Police Command for their proactive and professional approach, pledged his continuous support in efforts aimed at dismantling child trafficking networks across the country. 

“In a strong advisory, the CP also cautioned individuals and couples seeking to adopt children to endeavour to do the necessary checks and to follow legal procedures and avoid involvement in criminal acts under the guise of adoption.”

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KanyiDaily recalls that a two-year-old girl was recently rescued by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) after being trafficked from Abuja to Aba.