The Imo State Police Command has announced the arrest of a 42-year-old suspected child trafficker and the rescue of 12 allegedly stolen children. The command’s spokesperson, Henry Okoye, revealed this in a statement released to journalists in Owerri on Monday.
Deputy Superintendent of Police, Mr. Henry Okoye, stated that the female suspect, a native of Umudim Ohekelem in Ngor-Okpala Local Government Area of Imo State, was arrested on 20 June during a stop-and-search operation along the Owerri-Aba Expressway.
He explained that the suspect’s arrest led to the uncovering of a disturbing child-trafficking ring involved in exploiting minors and forcing them into street begging in Aba, Abia State. Following her arrest, the suspect was found in the company of several children whose appearance and condition instantly raised concerns.
As a result, the case was handed over to the IGP X-Squad Unit for a discreet investigation,” he stated.
Mr. Okoye further revealed that during interrogation, the suspect confessed to trafficking children from Ngor-Okpala to Aba, where they were forced into street begging.
She also claimed that the proceeds from their activities were allegedly sent to a motherless babies’ home in Okenyi, Eche Local Government Area of Rivers State, where she said she was employed.
The 12 rescued children, aged between five and 13, all hail from various communities in Ngor‑Okpala. “They are now in safe custody, and we’re working closely with relevant agencies to identify and reunite them with their biological families,” Mr. Okoye said.
He urged anyone with information that could help locate the children’s relatives to contact the command’s X‑Squad Unit. Quoting Imo State’s Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, he added that all forms of child trafficking are condemned and that perpetrators will face the full force of the law.
Source: LINDA IKEJI BLOG