Child trafficking ring busted in Anambra, 11 children rescued

By Paul Dada

The Anambra State Police Command has  busted an interstate child stealing and trafficking syndicate operating in Uruagu, Nnewi North Local Government Area of the state.

In a joint operation with Adamawa State Police Command on July 15, the police arrested one suspect, Uche Okoye, a 43-year-old woman, and rescued 11 children, comprising five boys and six girls, aged between three and six years.

The Anambra Police Command spokesman,  Tochukwu Ikenga, in statement released on Friday, said that the suspect was believed to be a major link in the child trafficking network operating between states.

The statement said:  “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.”

The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State,  Ikioye Orutugu, commended the operatives involved in the operation and pledged his continuous support in efforts aimed at dismantling child trafficking networks across the country.

He also cautioned individuals and couples seeking to adopt children to follow legal procedures and avoid involvement in criminal acts under the guise of adoption.