Police operatives
Anambra State Police Command has apprehended seven individuals suspected of stealing a three-year-old boy and running a child-trafficking network across multiple states.
Police spokesperson SP Tochukwu Ikenga revealed the details in a statement issued on Sunday in Awka. He confirmed that the young victim, who had earlier been declared missing, was safely recovered following a swift and coordinated investigation by officers of the command.
According to Ikenga, the suspects are believed to be part of a syndicate operating between Anambra, Enugu, and Lagos States. The case began on September 4, when the child’s family submitted a petition to the command’s Gender Unit under the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Awka.
The petition explained that the victim’s mother had left her son under the supervision of a neighbor in Umusiome, Nkpor Uno, located in the Idemili North Local Government Area. Upon her return, both the child and the neighbor had vanished.
Ikenga said that detectives immediately launched an investigation, which led to the arrest of the neighbor. “The suspect’s confession resulted in the arrest of his mother and two younger brothers,” he stated.
Further investigations took the police to Enugu, where two additional suspects were detained for aiding the child’s transportation to Lagos. Officers later traced the child to Lagos, rescued him unharmed, and arrested one more suspect linked to the operation.
“The child has since been reunited with his family in good health,” Ikenga assured.
He added, “All the suspects are currently in custody and will be charged to court upon completion of investigations.”
Ikenga also quoted the Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, as reaffirming the command’s determination to safeguard lives and property. Orutugu warned criminal elements to steer clear of the state, emphasizing that the police would ensure every offender faces justice.
