Anambra Police Bust Child Trafficking Syndicate, Rescue One-Week-Old Baby in Awkuzu
Operatives of the Anambra State Police Command has arrested four female suspects over alleged child trafficking and rescued a one-week-old baby girl during a raid on a maternity home in Awkuzu, Oyi Local Government Area.
The operation, conducted by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad, followed credible intelligence that led officers to Mama Maternity located at Ifite-Awkuzu in the early hours of Tuesday, October 28, 2025.
Those arrested include Elizabeth Okafor (62), Esther Nweke (48), Ngozi Maanfa (45), and Peace Elijah Moses (25). Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects conspired to purchase the newborn baby for N1.7 million. It was also discovered that an advance payment of N350,000 was made to the child’s purported biological mother, identified as Peace Elijah Moses, who is among those arrested.
The rescued baby is now under protective care. Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, has directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Gender Unit, Awka, for further investigation and prosecution.
CP Orutugu reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to safeguarding children and intensifying efforts against human trafficking across the state.
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