The Enugu State Police Command has rescued six trafficked children and arrested 10 suspects in a series of anti-trafficking operations conducted between 30 June and 16 July 2025.
This was made known on Saturday through the Command spokesperson, Daniel Ndukwe, who recounted that on 15 July, police operatives and Neighbourhood Watch members arrested Chiaha Josephine, 64, and Ozomma Ubanagum, 67, in Ezeagu Local Government Area (LGA) in connection with the crime.
Two trafficked children were rescued—Loveth Mfonobong, 16, and Benjamin Okon, 12—both of whom had been renamed by their captors.
The Command spokesperson said Josephine confessed to buying Loveth for N900,000 in 2021 and Benjamin for N1.4 million in 2024. Another suspect, Ilo Caroline, 55, was also arrested the following day.
On 13 July, officers from the Awkunanaw Division rescued a one-year-seven-month-old boy stolen from a market and arrested 28-year-old Chiemerie Onwe. The child was reunited with his mother, and the suspect has been arraigned.
In a transnational case, police arrested 21-year-old Mirabel Oluebube on 4 July for trafficking a 14-year-old girl to Ghana. Her accomplice, Udenze Ifeanyi, 32, was also arrested. The victim was rescued and reunited with her family.
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In another rescue mission on 3 July, Ogui Division operatives arrested Chinenye Ozoagu, 16, her mother Ogochukwu, 31, and Chidinma Ukpai, 40, for selling Chinenye’s newborn for N1.4 million. The baby was recovered in Nsukka, though the buyer escaped.
That same day, 36-year-old Ogbuzuru Ifebuche was caught attempting to steal an 11-month-old baby from a salon. The mother raised an alarm, and the suspect was arrested after a mob intervened.
Ndukwe revealed that investigations are ongoing, and the remaining suspects will be charged soon.
Commissioner of Police (CP) Mamman Giwa praised the operatives’ swift actions and warned parents to remain alert and avoid trafficking schemes disguised as financial help. He reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to protecting children.
