The Imo State Police Command says its operatives busted a child trafficking scheme in the state, arrested a 42-year-old female suspect and rescued 12 stolen children.
The Public Relations Officer of the command, DSP Okoye Henry, who made this known in a statement issued on Sunday, said the suspect identified as Ann Ngozi Enyenwa, was arrested during a routine stop-and-search operation along the Owerri-Aba Express Road.
The police spokesperson said the arrest of Enyenwa on June 20 led to the rescue of the 12 children suspected to have been stolen from various communities in Ngor-Okpala Local Government Area of the state.
According to Okoye, the suspect, who is a native of Umudim Ohekelem in Ngor-Okpala, was intercepted with multiple minors, whose distressed appearance raised immediate concern.
“Upon her arrest, the suspect was found with several children whose appearance and condition immediately aroused suspicion,” Okoye stated.
“Consequently, the case was referred to the IGP X-Squad Unit for discreet investigation. During interrogation, the suspect confessed to trafficking children from Ngor-Okpala LGA to Aba, where they were coerced into street begging.
“She further disclosed that proceeds from their activities were allegedly sent to Shalom Motherless Babies Home in Okenyi, Eche LGA, Rivers State, where she claimed to be employed.”
He identified the rescued children as Chinyere Nnaralaeze (10), Favour Madufor (13), Ugochi Pius (13), Ifeanyi Pius (9), Favour Timothy (10), Solomon Ihechi Chinuike (7), Chinaza Madufor (10), Nneoma Timothy (9), Promise Maduenyenwa (5), Gospel Chibuike (9), Chinedu Maduenyiwa (11), and Chinonso Paul (10).
He said the children are currently in protective custody while efforts are underway to locate and reunite them with their biological families.
“Meanwhile, the Command urges members of the public who recognise any of the rescued children or have helpful information about their identities or families to come forward and assist the Police. Reports can be made at the X-Squad Unit,” he added.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Aboki Danjuma, condemned the inhumane practice of trafficking children and reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to eradicating such crimes and safeguarding the rights and dignity of every child in the State.
The incident added to a troubling trend of child trafficking in Imo State.
In October 2023, a major child trafficking syndicate was uncovered in Orlu, leading to the arrest of three suspects and the rescue of eight children allegedly sold to illegal orphanages across the South-East.
Similarly, in April 2024, Police in Imo stormed an unregistered maternity home in Owerri North where six infants were found and three expectant teenage girls were rescued from being coerced into illegal adoption schemes.
Despite ongoing crackdowns, traffickers continue to exploit legal loopholes and vulnerable rural communities. Many cases have implicated pseudo-orphanages and baby factories masquerading as welfare centres.
Civil society groups have persistently called for stronger regulation of child welfare institutions and better funding for child protection services.
The Police Command urges constant vigilance from the public and encourages residents to report suspicious activities related to child movement or suspected trafficking rings.
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