The Imo State Police Command has successfully apprehended a 42-year-old female suspected child trafficker and rescued 12 children believed to have been stolen. This significant breakthrough was announced by the command’s spokesperson, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Henry Okoye, in a statement released to reporters in Owerri on Monday. The suspect, identified as a woman from Umudim Ohekelem in Ngor-Okpala Local Government Area of Imo State, was arrested on June 20 along the Owerri-Aba Express Road during a routine stop-and-search operation.

DSP Okoye explained that the arrest of this individual led to the discovery of a disturbing child-trafficking network. This illicit operation specialized in exploiting minors, forcing them into street begging activities in Aba, Abia State. Upon her apprehension, the suspect was found with several children whose physical appearance and overall condition immediately raised suspicions, prompting the case to be referred to the IGP X-Squad Unit for thorough and discreet investigation.

During interrogation, the suspect confessed to her involvement in trafficking children from Ngor-Okpala to Aba, where they were compelled to beg on the streets. She further disclosed that the proceeds generated from these activities were allegedly sent to a motherless babies’ home located in Okenyi, Eche Local Government Area in Rivers State, where she claimed to be employed. The 12 rescued children, all originating from various communities within Ngor-Okpala, are between the ages of five and 13.

The Imo State Police Command confirmed that the rescued children are currently in safe custody. Collaborative efforts are actively underway with relevant agencies to accurately identify the children and facilitate their reunification with their biological families. The command encourages anyone with helpful information regarding the children's families to reach out via the X-Squad Unit.

Commissioner of Police in Imo State, Aboki Danjuma, strongly condemned all forms of child trafficking, issuing a stern warning that anyone found engaging in such heinous acts would face the full wrath of the law. Commissioner Danjuma also reassured the public of the command's unwavering commitment to safeguarding the fundamental rights and dignity of every child within the state. This arrest comes amidst a rising trend of child trafficking in Nigeria, despite ongoing efforts by authorities to curb it. This increase is exemplified by a recent similar incident in Abia State where police arrested a couple and rescued 12 children from an unregistered orphanage.