The Nigeria Police Force has uncovered and dismantled two major human trafficking networks operating across Ondo, Anambra, and Enugu States. In the coordinated raids, several victims were rescued, including 39 Ghanaian nationals, two pregnant women, a seven-month-old baby, and a four-year-old child.
This was confirmed in a statement issued on Monday by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, and posted on the NPF’s official X (formerly Twitter) account.
According to the statement, officers from the Zone-13 Police Command carried out a targeted sting operation aimed at dismantling child trafficking activities and illegal maternity homes—commonly referred to as baby factories.
Eight individuals were arrested in connection with the operation. Among them were Uzoamaka Ani (27), Joy Madu (52), and Victoria Onodu Akasike (56). All three suspects allegedly admitted to involvement in the abduction and illegal adoption of children, as well as running unauthorized clinics used to facilitate the sale of newborns.
The rescued victims included a baby, a toddler, and two pregnant women who were found in a remote village. Investigations revealed that the pregnant women, both from Ebonyi State, were lured under false pretenses and held until childbirth, after which their babies were intended to be sold.
In a related case, officers from the Ondo State Police Command rescued a Ghanaian man, David Angerinya, who had been trafficked into Nigeria with misleading promises of employment and a visa to Canada.
The rescue operation followed a report submitted by the Interpol Liaison Office at Force Headquarters in Abuja. It led to the arrest of three more suspects identified as Hayford Nyamekye, Awine Alex, and Kojo Felix.
Further investigation revealed that the suspects were part of an international human trafficking network that preys on citizens from West African countries, offering fake job opportunities and foreign travel documents, especially to Canada.
During the operation, authorities found 39 additional Ghanaian nationals, many of whom lacked valid passports or had expired documents. They were discovered living in poor conditions and have since been placed under medical care.
Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, commended the efforts of the officers involved and reaffirmed the Force’s zero-tolerance stance on human trafficking, child abuse, and transnational crime.
He urged citizens to report any suspicious activities or individuals to the nearest police station, stressing the police’s commitment to protecting vulnerable populations and bringing all perpetrators to justice.
“The Nigeria Police Force remains steadfast in its responsibility to safeguard the rights of all individuals and ensure those behind these criminal acts face the full weight of the law,” the statement concluded.
