Anambra: Woman Arrested, 11 Children Rescued in Joint Police Crackdown on Child Trafficking Syndicate

A 43-year-old woman, Uche Okoye, has been arrested in Uruagu, Nnewi, Anambra State, in connection with a major child trafficking syndicate operating across state lines. The arrest, which took place during a coordinated operation between the Anambra and Adamawa State Police Commands, also led to the rescue of eleven abducted children—five boys and six girls aged between three and six years.

Police spokesperson for Anambra State, Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the operation on Friday, noting that the children were stolen from various locations in Adamawa State and transported to Anambra, where they were illegally sold to unsuspecting individuals seeking to adopt. According to the investigation, the boys were sold for ₦1.5 million each, while the girls were sold for ₦800,000 each.

The successful operation was carried out by operatives attached to the Anambra State Criminal Investigation Department, Awka, on July 15, 2025, in support of Adamawa Police efforts to dismantle the trafficking ring. Preliminary findings identified Uche Okoye as a key figure in the trafficking network.

The rescued children have since been handed over to Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Shuaibu Wara, who led the operatives from Adamawa State, for onward reunification with their families and biological parents.

The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State, Ikioye Uche Orutugu, commended the swift and professional efforts of the operatives, particularly those from the Adamawa Police Command. He reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to dismantling child trafficking networks across Nigeria and issued a stern advisory to individuals and couples seeking to adopt children, urging them to conduct proper checks and follow lawful procedures to avoid becoming entangled in criminal activities.