The Commissioner of Police (CP) for Anambra State has announced the successful dismantling of a child trafficking and stealing syndicate operating within the region. This operation resulted in the arrest of three individuals, including a fraudulent medical practitioner, and the rescue of ten malnourished children.
During a press briefing held on Monday at the Command headquarters in Amawbia, Awka, CP Ikioye Orutugu detailed the events leading to the operation, which occurred on Saturday in the 3-3 area of Onitsha. The children, aged between five and eight years, were recovered from an apartment in Inland Town by police officers stationed at the local Divisional Police headquarters.
CP Orutugu explained that the investigation was initiated following a report received on July 28, 2024, concerning a missing six-year-old boy in the neighborhood. Subsequent intelligence prompted further action, leading to the arrest of a suspect, Mr. Odinakachukwu Okorie, who was implicated in a second case involving a five-year-old girl reported missing on February 13, 2025.
During the interrogation process, Mr. Okorie identified Ifunanya Ogbonna as a collaborator in the child stealing ring. Further investigation allowed the police to recover the previously reported missing children and to apprehend Mr. Daniel Ikebuilo, who posed as a medical doctor.
Mr. Okorie and Ms. Ogbonna confessed to plans to transport the five-year-old girl to Abuja. Additionally, Ms. Ogbonna admitted to having sold the child for a sum of one million Naira to Mr. Ikebuilo.
Acting on the intelligence gathered, the police further rescued eight additional children from the same location in Inland Town, Onitsha. In light of these developments, the Command is collaborating with the Anambra State Government through the Ministry of Women’s Affairs to ensure that the children receive adequate custody, medical care, and support in recovering from their traumatic experiences.
The CP emphasized the significance of community-police collaboration and effective intelligence gathering in the fight against child trafficking. He urged any individuals searching for their missing children to visit the State Police Command headquarters for necessary assistance and potential reunification with their families.