The Anambra State Police Command has dismantled a suspected child trafficking syndicate operating in Aguleri, Anambra East Local Government Area, rescuing 33 underage girls and arresting one suspect.
The command’s spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga, made this known in a statement issued on Wednesday.
“Operatives of the Anambra police command attached to the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu, today recorded a breakthrough in an ongoing investigation involving a case of kidnapping, abduction, missing children, and child trafficking.
“The operatives arrested a female suspect, one Ifeoma Anthony, 37 years old, and rescued 33 underage girls in a house at Aguleri,” he said.
Mr Ikenga explained that the operation followed a distress call received through the Police Command Control Room from relatives of some victims, who reported that three missing children had been sighted along Emma Pigin Road, Aguleri.
He said the relatives identified the missing children as Divine Mbam, 14; Favour Nwagu, 15; and Blessing Oke, 18, who were abducted on September 26, 2025, in Ebonyi State and taken to an unknown destination.
According to the police spokesperson, preliminary findings indicated that the building where the girls were found was allegedly being used for child trafficking and prostitution.
He added that the facility is believed to be owned by a 45-year-old woman, Ngozi Nnanyelugo, who is currently on the run. He noted that efforts are underway to apprehend the principal suspect, while investigations continue to uncover the full scope of the operation and identify other individuals involved.
