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Police in Anambra State, have arrested four suspects in connection with child trafficking in Ifite-Awkuzu, Oyi Local Government Area of the state.
This was disclosed in a press statement issued by the Spokesman for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, on Tuesday.
Ikenga said police operatives attached to the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu, acting on credible intelligence, arrested the suspects in the early hours of Tuesday.
He said during the raid, the operatives rescued a one-week-old baby girl and arrested four female suspects in connection with a case of conspiracy and child trafficking.
The statement read in part, “The Anambra State Police Command, through its operatives attached to the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu, in the early hours of Tuesday, acting on credible intelligence, stormed a location identified as Mama Maternity situated at Ifite-Awkuzu, Oyi Local Government Area.
“During the raid, the operatives rescued a one-week-old baby girl and arrested four female suspects in connection with a case of conspiracy and child trafficking.
“The arrested suspects include: Elizabeth Okafor, 62 years, Esther Nweke 48 years, Ngozi Maanfa 45 years and Peace Elijah Moses, 25 years respectively. Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects conspired among themselves and allegedly purchased a newborn baby girl, barely a week old, for the sum of ₦1.7 million.
“They had reportedly paid an advance sum of ₦350,000.00 to the purported biological mother of the child, identified as Peace Elijah Moses, who is among the arrested persons.”
According to him, the baby girl has been safely rescued and is currently under protective care while the Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Ikioye Orutugu, has ordered the immediate transfer of the Case to the State Criminal Investigation Department Gender Unit, Awka, for discreet investigation and necessary prosecution.
“The CP also reaffirmed the Command’s unwavering commitment to the protection of children and the ongoing fight against all forms of human trafficking in the State,” he added.
Punch Online had in July 2025 reported that the Anambra State Police Command investigated and busted an interstate child stealing, abduction and trafficking syndicate operating in Uruagu, Nnewi North Local Government Area of the state.
The command said during the operation carried out by the police operatives attached to the Anambra State Criminal Investigation Department, Awka, in collaboration with Adamawa police operatives, on July 15, one suspect was arrested while 11 children, five boys and six girls were rescued.
Ikenga, who disclosed the development to journalists, said the investigation revealed that the children were abducted, stolen and transported from Adamawa State.
Ikenga added that the children were 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
