The Anambra State Police Command has dismantled a notorious child trafficking syndicate, rescuing ten malnourished children aged between five and eight years from an apartment in Inland Town, Onitsha.

The State Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, disclosed this during a press briefing on Monday, February 17, 2025. He confirmed the arrest of three suspects, including a fake medical doctor identified as Mr. Daniel Ikebuilo, alongside Odinakachukwu Okorie and Ifunanya Ogbonna.

According to Orutugu, the breakthrough came following months of intelligence-led investigations by operatives from the 3-3 Divisional Headquarters. The police had been monitoring Okorie after receiving reports of a missing six-year-old boy in July 2024 and another missing five-year-old girl in February 2025.

A swift operation led to the arrest of Okorie, who implicated Ogbonna. During interrogation, Ogbonna confessed to selling the five-year-old girl to Ikebuilo for ₦1 million. Further investigations led to the discovery of eight more children in the apartment.

The rescued children have been placed in the care of the Anambra State Ministry of Women’s Affairs for medical attention and rehabilitation.

Commending the operation, CP Orutugu emphasized the importance of community cooperation and intelligence gathering in tackling human trafficking. He urged parents searching for missing children to visit the Anambra State Police Command for further assistance.

This incident underscores the ongoing battle against child trafficking in Nigeria, highlighting the need for continuous vigilance and community-police collaboration.