Police have rescued eleven children and arrested one woman in a child trafficking case in Nnewi.
The kids were reportedly stolen from Adamawa and sold for illegal adoption.
Police operatives in Anambra State have joined forces with the Adamawa State Police Command to dismantle an interstate child trafficking syndicate. This collaborative effort led to the arrest of one suspect and the rescue of eleven abducted children.
On July 15, 2025, detectives from the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Awka, Anambra, successfully arrested 43-year-old Uche Okoye in Uruagu, Nnewi. During the operation, eleven children five boys and six girls between the ages of 3 and 6 were rescued.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the children had been stolen from Adamawa State and were being trafficked for illegal adoption. The suspect allegedly sold each boy for ₦1.5 million and each girl for ₦800,000 to unsuspecting families looking to adopt.
Following their rescue, the children were handed over to ACP Shuaibu Wara, who led the Adamawa Police team, for possible reunification with their biological families.
Anambra State Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Uche Orutugu, praised the efforts of both police teams, especially the proactive work of the Adamawa Command. He reaffirmed the state’s commitment to eradicating child trafficking and protecting vulnerable children.
CP Orutugu also advised prospective adoptive parents to strictly follow legal adoption procedures and conduct thorough background checks to avoid falling into criminal traps disguised as adoption.
