Police bust child trafficking syndicate in Anambra, rescue 33 girls
Police bust child trafficking syndicate in Anambra, rescue 33 girls
The Anambra state police command says it has busted a child trafficking syndicate operating in a compound in Awkuzu, Oyi LGA.
A statement on Wednesday by Tochukwu Ikenga, the state police spokesperson, said the raid followed an ongoing investigation involving a case of kidnapping, abduction, missing children and child trafficking.
Ikenga said during the raid, three children who were abducted since September 26, 2025, in Ebonyi and taken to an unknown location were sighted and rescued.
He added that operatives of the Anambra command attached to the rapid response squad Awkuzu, raided the premises on Wednesday.
“Operatives of the Anambra State Police Command attached to the Rapid Response Squad Awkuzu on January 7, 2026, recorded a breakthrough in an ongoing investigation involving a case of kidnapping, abduction, missing children and child trafficking,” the statement reads.
“The operatives arrested a female suspect, one Ifeoma Success Anthony, aged 37 years and rescued 33 underaged girls in a house at Awkuzu.
“This feat follows a distress report received through the Police Command Control Room from the victim’s relatives on how their three children: Divine Mbam (Female), 14 years; Nwagu Favour (Female); 15 years, and Oke Blessing (Female); 18 years respectively who were abducted since September 26, 2025, in Ebonyi State, and taken to an unknown location were sighted at Emma Pigin Road, Aguleri.”
Ikenga said preliminary investigations revealed that the building where the girls were is allegedly used for child trafficking and prostitution and owned by 45-year-old Ngozi Nnanyelugo, who is currently at large.
“Meanwhile, efforts are currently ongoing to arrest the principal suspect, while investigations continue to determine the full extent of the crime and identify other accomplices. Further developments will be communicated in due course,” the statement reads.
Ikenga said the Anambra police command remains committed to protecting lives, especially vulnerable children, and urges the public to continue providing useful information to aid ongoing investigations.
