The Anambra State Police Command has uncovered and disrupted a child trafficking ring operating between Anambra and Adamawa states. The syndicate was active in Uruagu, located in the Nnewi North Local Government Area.
In a coordinated operation on July 15, officers from the Anambra State Criminal Investigation Department in Awka, working alongside counterparts from the Adamawa State Police Command, arrested a suspect and rescued eleven trafficked children — five boys and six girls — aged between three and six years.
According to a statement released on Friday by the command’s spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, investigations revealed that the children were stolen from various locations in Adamawa State. They were then transported to Anambra, where they were unlawfully handed over to unsuspecting individuals seeking to adopt. The illegal transactions reportedly involved payments of ₦1.5 million per boy and ₦800,000 per girl.
The arrested suspect, identified as 43-year-old Uche Okoye, is believed to be a key figure in the trafficking network. Further investigations are ongoing to apprehend additional members of the group based on intelligence gathered from the suspect.
The rescued children have been transferred to Assistant Commissioner of Police, Shuaibu Wara, who led the Adamawa team, to facilitate their safe return to their families.
Commending the success of the joint operation, the Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, CP Ikioye Orutugu, praised the professionalism of the officers, especially the Adamawa team. He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to eliminating human trafficking networks across Nigeria.
CP Orutugu also issued a warning to individuals and couples interested in adoption, urging them to follow due legal procedures and conduct proper background checks to avoid unknowingly engaging in criminal activities.
