In a major breakthrough against child trafficking, the Anambra State Police Command has rescued eleven children and arrested a woman suspected of being involved in an inter-state child trafficking ring. The rescue took place in Nnewi, Anambra State, and is being described as a big step in fighting the illegal sale of children across Nigeria.
The operation was led by officers from the State Criminal Investigation Department in Awka. They worked hand-in-hand with police officers from Adamawa State. This joint effort helped expose a dangerous network that moves children from one state to another, pretending it’s for legal adoption.
According to the police spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the arrest happened on July 15, 2025. The suspect, 43-year-old Uche Okoye, is believed to be one of the main people involved in the group that kidnaps and sells young children.
Based on reliable intelligence, police stormed a location in Uruagu, a community in Nnewi. There, they rescued eleven children—five boys and six girls—aged between three and six years old.
The investigation revealed something shocking: these children were kidnapped from Adamawa State and brought to Anambra to be sold. The traffickers were charging ₦1.5 million for each boy and ₦800,000 for each girl, pretending they were offering them up for adoption.
Thankfully, the children are now safe. They’ve been handed over to ACP Shuaibu Wara, who led the police team from Adamawa. Efforts are now being made to find their real parents and reunite them.
Anambra State Police Commissioner, CP Ikioye Uche Orutugu, praised all the officers involved—especially the team from Adamawa—for their quick and professional response.
He also promised that the police will not stop until every group involved in such evil acts is brought down. The Command will continue to work closely with other security agencies to stop crimes like this from happening again.
The police also sent a clear message to people looking to adopt children: avoid illegal methods. All adoptions should go through proper legal channels approved by the government. The commissioner warned that not knowing the law is not an excuse—anyone caught in this kind of crime will face the consequences.
As investigations continue, the arrested woman is now helping the police find others connected to the trafficking network. The goal is to arrest everyone involved and put a permanent stop to their cruel business.
This case is just one of many successes under the leadership of CP Orutugu. Since he became commissioner, the police in Anambra have made major progress in fighting crimes like cultism, kidnapping, and now, human trafficking.
