Three suspects face child trafficking allegations as police intensify efforts to rescue victims and dismantle the syndicate

The Anambra State Police Command, Awka, on Sunday announced the arrest of three women over their alleged involvement in an Anambra child trafficking syndicate accused of selling a four-year-old boy for N2 million and trafficking another infant in separate incidents.

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Police spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the suspects, Florence Nnakuzie, 45, Hannah Ugah, 52, and Chinasa Daniel, 27, were apprehended by operatives attached to the Awada Divisional Headquarters during an operation at a motor park in Onitsha on Saturday evening.

According to the police, preliminary investigations indicate that the suspects are members of a child trafficking network that allegedly procured and sold children to buyers for financial gain.

The operation also led to the rescue of some children, while other suspected members of the syndicate reportedly escaped.

Ikenga said investigators uncovered evidence suggesting that Chinasa Daniel allegedly brought two children, a two-week-old baby and a four-year-old boy, on separate occasions between June and December 2025 before handing them over to Hannah Ugah.

The police spokesperson alleged that the four-year-old child was later transferred to Florence Nnakuzie and sold for N2 million, while the newborn baby was allegedly sold to another woman who remains at large.

“The Anambra State Police Command, on the evening of July 11, recorded another major breakthrough in its sustained fight against child trafficking with the arrest of three female suspects, Florence Nnakuzie, 45; Hannah Ugah, 52; and Chinasa Daniel, 27, at a motor park in Onitsha by police operatives attached to Awada Divisional Headquarters,” Ikenga said.

He added, “Chinasa further disclosed that the four-year-old child was subsequently handed over to Florence Nnakuzie and allegedly sold for the sum of N2 million, while the two-week-old baby was allegedly sold to another woman who is currently at large.”

The Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, described child trafficking as a serious violation of human rights and directed that the case be transferred immediately to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Awka for a comprehensive and discreet investigation.

Orutugu also ordered detectives to intensify efforts to identify and apprehend every member of the alleged trafficking syndicate.

The police chief further directed coordinated operations to locate, rescue and reunite the trafficked children with their biological families.

The command commended residents whose timely intelligence reportedly contributed to the successful operation and encouraged members of the public to continue providing credible information to support ongoing efforts against child trafficking and other organised crimes.

The latest arrests come amid intensified security operations in Anambra State targeting child trafficking, kidnapping and other organised criminal activities.

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Law enforcement agencies have repeatedly urged parents and guardians to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements involving children, while authorities continue efforts to dismantle trafficking networks operating within and beyond the state.