The Anambra State Police Command has successfully uncovered and dismantled a child abduction and trafficking ring operating across state lines, resulting in the rescue of 11 children in the Uruagu area of Nnewi North Local Government.
The coordinated operation, which took place on July 15, involved officers from the Anambra State Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Awka, working closely with operatives from the Adamawa State Police Command. One female suspect was arrested during the operation.
According to a statement released on Friday by the Police Public Relations Officer in Anambra, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, initial investigations revealed that the children had been abducted from Adamawa State.
“The police operatives attached to the Anambra State Criminal Investigation Department, Awka on July 15, 2025, complemented the efforts of the officers of Adamawa State Police Command on investigation activities to record a breakthrough in busting an interstate child stealing/abduction and trafficking syndicate,” Ikenga stated.
The suspect, identified as 43-year-old Uche Okoye, was apprehended at a location in Uruagu, where police also rescued five boys and six girls, all aged between three and six.
“The intelligence-driven operation led to the arrest of one female suspect, Uche Okoye aged 43 years, and the rescue of eleven children, (five boys and six girls), ranging in age from three to six years, in Uruagu, Nnewi, Anambra State,” he said.
Ikenga further disclosed that the children were sold to unsuspecting adopters at steep prices.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the children were abducted/stolen and transported from Adamawa and illegally given to unsuspecting members of the public seeking adoption for N1.5 million for the boys and N800,000 only for the girls respectively,” the statement added.
The children have since been handed over to the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Shuaibu Wara, who led the Adamawa team, to begin the process of reuniting them with their families.
The command confirmed that the investigation is still ongoing, with efforts in place to apprehend other members of the trafficking network based on details extracted from the arrested suspect.
Commending the successful operation, the Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, CP Ikioye Orutugu, praised both Anambra and Adamawa police officers for their efficiency.
“In a strong advisory, the CP also cautioned individuals and couples seeking to adopt children to endeavour to do the necessary checks and to follow legal procedures and avoid involvement in criminal acts under the guise of adoption,” the statement added.
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