SaharaReporters had earlier reported that she was arrested on May 19 over allegations of child trafficking — a claim the family has consistently denied.

A retired Deputy Superintendent of Police, Blessing Chinyere Okoro, is presently fighting for her life after her family accused Nigerian police officers of beating her — a development that reportedly led to her rejection by a teaching hospital in Aba, Abia State, due to the critical nature of her condition.

According to family sources who requested anonymity, Blessing developed abdominal complications following the alleged beating.

SaharaReporters had earlier reported that she was arrested on May 19 over allegations of child trafficking — a claim the family has consistently denied.

"When the police arrested her, she just had fibroid operation a few days earlier, and the beating they gave her led to abdominal issues for her, the issue was discovered when she got to prison," a family source told SaharaReporters.

Latest information obtained by SaharaReporters indicates that Blessing was rushed to a teaching hospital in Aba after the abdominal complication worsened.

"Prison officials rushed her to the teaching hospital in Aba for treatment and she was meant for a surgical operation, but they rejected her, asking her to do another abdominal scan. After the scan, the teaching hospital in Aba said they cannot handle her case."

Family sources told SaharaReporters that, as of the time of filing this report, the hospital had referred them to Enugu.

"They are asking us to take her to another hospital in Enugu State."

It was also gathered that prison officials only provided N60,000 for her treatment, despite SaharaReporters’ earlier report highlighting her alleged maltreatment by police.

"The only money we have gotten is N60,000 support, while we have spent close to a million on the issue."

Earlier in May, SaharaReporters reported that the family of retired Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Blessing Chinyere Okoro — founder of Faith, Hope, and Charity Orphanage in Ogborhill, Aba, Abia State — raised the alarm over her continued detention by the Abia State Police Command.

They also alleged extortion by police officers, whom they accused of falsely labelling her a child trafficker. 

They said her detention persisted despite her undergoing recent fibroid surgery, with police allegedly denying her access to medical care.

According to the family, Okoro had been held at the State CID, Umuahia, for over 10 days without being formally charged or arraigned.

A close family source explained that the issue began after a dispute over a rented property meant to house the orphanage.

"The issue was that the agent that got the house for them didn't explain to the landlord that it is an orphanage home that is coming to occupy the space," the source said.

"So after two days of occupancy in the space, the landlord called to know who owns the children, because I guess one of their neighbors must have reported to the landlord. When he called, he was told that the children are under the orphanage. The landlord became angry that no one told him about it, not even the agent. He gave them quit notice and refunded their money to them."

"She didn't argue; rather, she pleaded with the landlord to give her a small time, at least two weeks, to get another apartment and vacate the space."

"He refused and started making troubles for her," the source added. 

"She had pleaded for a little time to move out."

Amid the dispute, the landlord allegedly facilitated her arrest through officers from Azuka Police Station in Aba, who reportedly demanded ₦300,000 for her bail.

"The matter was suddenly recharacterised as an issue of 'illegal orphanage registration', despite the presentation of her CAC registration documents," the family source said.

"When she reported the extortion attempt to the Police Complaint Response Unit (CRU), the DPO retaliated by labelling the matter as child trafficking, and then transferred her to State CID, Umuahia. Her original CAC documents were confiscated and used as false evidence of illegality," the source added.

The family further claimed:

At Umuahia, Okoro was photographed like a criminal along with her husband and the orphanage children. They also accused the police of circulating a press release falsely portraying her as running a child trafficking ring — a move they described as an "irreparable reputational injury."

Additionally, they said a two-month-old baby found with her was used as further “evidence” against her. The family denied this claim, explaining that the baby belongs to her first daughter, who has since presented a birth certificate and sworn affidavit to prove this.

They accused the Investigating Police Officer (IPO) and the state Commissioner of Police (CP) in Umuahia of refusing to grant bail, citing an “ongoing investigation” as justification for indefinite detention.

The family also alleged that police officers demanded a ₦20,000 daily "transport fare" from Okoro’s son to ensure case progress. Okoro has reportedly been denied access to her lawyer, her phone, and family support.

"Despite providing proof of CAC registration and the biological mother's identity, the Abia Police Command continues to defame her, claiming she has 'no single document' and falsely classifying her as a trafficker," the family said.

They also claimed that officers are demanding ₦100,000 as a "mobilisation fee" to begin an investigation.

Speaking to SaharaReporters, the family appealed to the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to intervene and ensure justice for Okoro, whom they described as having a clean service record.

They called for an:

"Order [for] her immediate release on bail, or arraignment in court if there are valid charges."

They are also demanding:

"Investigation and sanctioning of all officers involved in the alleged illegal detention, extortion, and defamation."

"Retraction and correction of the press release and images currently circulating online."

"An end to further intimidation of her children and legal counsel."

"A review of the alleged misuse of the 'Women Affairs License' to justify prolonged detention, pointing out that the orphanage is CAC-registered and in contact with the Ministry of Women Affairs."

Response

Earlier, the Abia State Police Command accused Okoro of child trafficking and operating an unregistered orphanage.

Police spokesperson, Maureen Chinaka, stated that 12 children were rescued during the arrest of Okoro and her husband.

"On the 19/05/2025 at about 11:45 hrs, detectives from Abia State Police Command, leveraging credible intelligence, apprehended one Blessing Emebo ‘f’ 49yrs and Sunday Emebo, ‘m’ 42yrs for operating an unregistered motherless babies’ home in their apartment at Ikot Ekpene Road, Aba," the statement read.

"The suspects were found in possession of twelve (12) children, aged between six months and fourteen years, from different villages in Arochukwu. The rescued children have been safely handed over to the Ministry of Women’s Affairs for custody."

"Meanwhile, investigations are ongoing. The suspects are currently being interrogated at the State CID, Umuahia, and will soon be arraigned in court at the conclusion of an investigation,” the police had added.