Precious Nwonu, Enugu
The Ebonyi State Police Command has dismantled an alleged child-trafficking syndicate operating across parts of the South-East, arresting several suspects and rescuing three children believed to have been illegally transferred under the guise of adoption.
The breakthrough followed investigations into multiple cases of child abduction and alleged fraudulent adoption arrangements, according to a statement issued by the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Joshua Ukandu, in Abakaliki on Thursday.
The investigation began in May 2026 after a woman, Ngwe Ukamaka, reported that her two children, a five-month-old baby and an 11-year-old child, had been abducted.
Police said the victim was allegedly lured to Awgu, Enugu State, by individuals who claimed to be arranging a meeting with her prospective in-laws.
According to the police, the suspects asked Ukamaka to visit a salon to have her hair styled and used her absence to take away the two children.
The investigation later led to the arrest of four suspects identified as Agu Okechukwu, Ndidi Kenneth Nwanga, Ugonma Igwe and Alagba Chinyere.
Police said the suspects were linked to another case involving a woman, Oluchi Onah, who was allegedly deceived with a fake job offer in Enugu and persuaded to bring her two-year-old child along.
The command alleged that Ndidi took custody of the child while Agu accompanied Onah to a salon under the pretext of helping her get her hair done before abandoning her there.
The child was later traced and rescued by detectives and reunited with the family.
Police investigations subsequently led operatives to Okigwe, Imo State, where they raided a suspected hideout and arrested Benedicta Umeh, also known as Nwanyi Okigwe, as well as Obinna Nwankpa and Mmekadinma Oledibe.
During the operation, detectives recovered a three-year-old child who police said had allegedly been sold by Umeh to Mmekadinma for N2.5m.
Further investigation resulted in the arrest of Favour Chukwu and Ugochukwu Nwankpa, who were allegedly involved in child-snatching operations in Isu Community, Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, and another case in Enugu.
Police said the suspects allegedly admitted to drugging a woman around the Holy Ghost area of Enugu before taking her baby.
According to the command, the suspects claimed the child belonged to a woman living with mental health challenges and that sleeping pills had been secretly added to her food before the baby was taken.
The investigation also uncovered alleged involvement of two social welfare officers, Ebere Anayo and Chinyere Nwakanma, attached to Obowo Local Government Area of Imo State.
The officers were arrested over allegations that they helped produce documentation purportedly used to legitimise illegal foster arrangements and child sales.
Police said another suspect, Franca Omire, was arrested in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on September 27.
The operation also led to the recovery of Ukamaka’s five-month-old son, who had allegedly been abducted in May.
Omire reportedly told investigators that she believed she was participating in a legitimate adoption arrangement after Benedicta Umeh allegedly represented her organisation as a genuine orphanage working with the Obowo Social Welfare Office.
She reportedly claimed that she paid ₦2.5m in July 2026 and received what appeared to be official adoption documents.
The police said efforts were still ongoing to locate and rescue Ukamaka’s 11-year-old child.
The Commissioner of Police in Ebonyi State, CP Hope Urunwa Okafor, commended the officers involved in the investigation and vowed to pursue other individuals allegedly connected to the trafficking network.
“The Command will remain relentless in pursuing every individual connected to these heinous acts,” Okafor said.
“Anyone involved in child stealing and human trafficking in Ebonyi State will face the full weight of the law.”
The command also advised prospective adoptive and foster parents to use only legally recognised government channels for such processes.
It warned members of the public against relying on informal arrangements, private intermediaries or questionable documentation when seeking to adopt or foster children.