The Ebonyi State Police Command has arrested several suspected members of a child trafficking syndicate and rescued three children allegedly abducted and unlawfully handed over to prospective adopters.
The arrests followed investigations into multiple reports of child abduction and trafficking involving Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo and Rivers states.
The Police Public Relations Officer in Ebonyi, SP Joshua Ukandu, said two suspected accomplices, identified as Ebere Anayo and Chinyere Nwakanma, who reportedly work as social welfare officers in Obowo Local Government Area of Imo State, were among those arrested.
According to the police, preliminary investigations showed that the suspects allegedly facilitated the transfer of children to individuals seeking to adopt or foster them.
The investigation reportedly began after a complaint filed in May 2026 by Mrs Ngwe Ukamaka, who alleged that her two children, a five-month-old boy and an 11-year-old girl, were abducted by individuals who allegedly deceived her under the pretext of marriage.
Ukandu said police operatives arrested four suspects on August 14, 2026, in connection with the investigation. They were identified as Agu Okechukwu, Ndidi Kenneth Nwanga, Ugonma Igwe and Alagba Chinyere.
The police also linked the suspects to another alleged child abduction involving Mrs Oluchi Onah, who was reportedly deceived into travelling to Enugu with her two-year-old child on the promise of securing employment.
According to the command, Onah was taken to Awgu in Enugu State under the guise of meeting her purported in-laws. She was allegedly separated from her child after being asked to leave to make her hair.
Police said one of the suspects allegedly abandoned Onah and joined others in arranging the transfer of her child to another woman.
A breakthrough reportedly occurred on August 12 when Agu allegedly approached another woman with an intention to abduct her child. The woman reportedly became suspicious and alerted the police, leading to Agu’s arrest and the subsequent arrest of other suspected accomplices.
Further investigation enabled operatives to trace and recover Onah’s child, who was later reunited with the family.
The investigation was subsequently extended to Okigwe in Imo State, where police arrested Mrs Benedicta Umeh, also known as Nwanyi Okigwe, Obinna Nwankpa and Mmekadinma Oledibe.
A three-year-old child was reportedly recovered during the operation.
Police alleged that preliminary investigations indicated the child had been sold by Umeh to Mmekadinma for N2.5 million.
Investigators also arrested Favour Chukwu, who was allegedly linked to information concerning Ukamaka and her children, as well as another reported child abduction in Isu community, Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
Another suspect, Ugochukwu Nwankpa, was subsequently arrested.
The police alleged that Nwankpa and Chukwu took a child from Enugu and presented themselves as the child’s parents before social welfare officials.
During interrogation, the suspects allegedly claimed that the child belonged to a woman described as mentally challenged. They further alleged that sleeping pills were placed in the woman’s food before the child was taken while she slept around the Holy Ghost area of Enugu
Police said the investigation continued on September 27 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where Franca Omire was arrested and a baby boy allegedly abducted in May was recovered.
According to the command, Omire told investigators that Umeh, also known as Nwanyi Okigwe, claimed to operate an orphanage and have connections with the welfare office in Obowo Local Government Area.
Omire allegedly told investigators that she paid N2.5 million in July 2026 and subsequently received a document purportedly showing that she had legally adopted the child.
The Ebonyi Police Command said investigations were ongoing, while efforts were being intensified to recover the 11-year-old girl allegedly abducted in connection with the case.
Commissioner of Police, Ebonyi State Command, CP Hope Urunwa Okafor, commended the police operatives involved in the investigation and recovery operation.
She assured residents that the command would continue to investigate the cases and pursue anyone found to be connected with the alleged child trafficking activities.
The police also advised prospective adoptive and foster parents to conduct proper verification through authorised government agencies before taking custody of children.
The command warned against relying on individuals, informal adoption arrangements or documents allegedly issued by private persons when seeking to adopt or foster a child.
Stay updated with Ebonyi News Network for real-time reports, in-depth analysis, and exclusive coverage of policies shaping Ebonyi State.
