By Victoria Yakubu
The Ebonyi State Police Command has rescued an 11-year-old girl allegedly sold to a woman for about N4 million by a suspected child trafficking syndicate.
In a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Superintendent of Police (SP), Joshua Ukandu, identified the rescued girl as Chinecherem Ngwe, adding that investigations led operatives to a woman in Nkpor, Onitsha, Anambra State.
According to the command, police operatives traced the woman, identified as Mrs Nneka Ibekwe, to the area on October 6, 2026, following months of investigation. Preliminary investigations reportedly indicated that Ibekwe had obtained the child from the suspected trafficking syndicate in June 2026.
During questioning, Ibekwe allegedly told investigators that she approached Mrs Benedicta Umeh, also known as Nwanyi-Okigwe, after learning that she operated an orphanage and allegedly worked with officials at a welfare office to facilitate child adoptions.
She reportedly said she expressed interest in adopting a child and was asked to provide a consent letter from her church and a medical certificate of fitness to establish her suitability for adoption. Ibekwe further alleged that she paid about N4 million to Umeh before the child was handed over to her.
The command said the allegations remained subject to further investigation. It did not provide additional details about the circumstances surrounding the child’s acquisition or the identities of other suspected members of the syndicate.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Hope Urunwa Okafor, commended the officers involved in the investigation for their diligence and commitment. She assured the public that anyone found culpable would face the law, reaffirming the command’s commitment to combating child trafficking.
Okafor also cautioned prospective adoptive parents against taking custody of children without conducting proper checks and complying with established legal procedures. She urged anyone seeking to adopt a child to verify the legitimacy of the process and ensure that all statutory requirements were met before accepting custody.
The Commissioner further called on residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities involving children to the nearest police station.
