Anambra: Police nab notorious child trafficker, rescue 11 children stolen from Adamawa

By Monday Ajogun

The Police have rescued five boys and six girls from a 43-year-old female suspect involved in interstate child trafficking at Uruagu, in Nnewi North Local Government Area of Anambra state.

“The children were being illegally given to unsuspecting members of the public seeking adoption for N1.5 million and N800,000 only for the girls respectively,” SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the spokesperson for Anambra Police Command announced in a statement on Friday.

He said a synergy and shared intel between the Adamawa Police Command and the state command led to a record breakthrough in busting an interstate child stealing/abduction and trafficking syndicate in Anambra.

He said the children were abducted or stolen in Adamawa State.

“The intelligence-driven operation led to the arrest of one female suspect and the rescue of eleven children, (five boys and six girls), who are between the ages of three to six in Uruagu.

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

“Preliminary investigation reveals that the children were abducted/stolen and transported from Adamawa.

“The children were illegally given to unsuspecting members of the public seeking adoption for N1.5 million and N800,000 only for the girls respectively.”

Ikenga said that the rescued children have been handed over to the Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Shuaibu Wara, team leader of the Adamawa Police operatives, for possible reuniting with their families and biological parents.

He added that the command was working on the information provided by the suspect for the possible arrest and prosecution of other members of the syndicate.

The PRO said that the Commissioner of Police in charge of Anambra, Ikioye Orutugu, has commended the operatives involved in the operation, especially the Adamawa police command for their proactive and professional approach.

Orutugu pledged his continuous support in efforts aimed at dismantling child trafficking networks across the country.

He cautioned individuals and couples seeking to adopt children to endeavour to do the necessary checks and follow legal procedures to avoid involvement in criminal acts under the guise of adoption. (NAN)