The Enugu State Police Command has rescued six stolen or trafficked children during multiple busts targeting both local and transnational child trafficking syndicates.
The Commissioner of Police, CP. Mamman Bitrus Giwa, also confirmed the arrest of 10 suspects in a series of coordinated operations spanning June 30 to July 16, 2025.
The Police boss praised the operatives’ professionalism and reaffirmed the Command’s dedication to protecting children from trafficking networks.
“Parents and guardians must be watchful and protect their children. Resist any involvement in human trafficking, no matter the guise of economic difficulty,” Giwa urged.
The operations, which cut across several divisions of the Command, involved the Anti-Cultism Tactical Squad, Awkunanaw Division, Emene Division, Ogui Division, and Neighbourhood Watch groups. The efforts were aimed at dismantling syndicates responsible for stealing and trafficking minors across state and international borders.
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Multiple rescues and arrests across the state
On July 15, 2025, Operatives of the Anti-Cultism Tactical Squad, in collaboration with Neighbourhood Watch members, arrested Chiaha Josephine, 64 and Ozomma Christopher Ubanagum, 67 in Ezeagu LGA. Two trafficked children were rescued: Loveth Mfonobong, 16, renamed Chiaha Ifunanya, and Benjamin Alex Okon, 12, renamed Chiaha Udochukwu. Josephine admitted buying Loveth for ₦900,000 in 2021 and Benjamin for ₦1,400,000 in 2024. A third suspect, Ilo Caroline, 55, was apprehended the following day.
On July 13, 2025, Police officers from the Awkunanaw Division rescued a one-year-seven-month-old boy and arrested Chiemerie Daniel Onwe, 28. The child, stolen from his mother at New Garriki cattle market, was recovered and reunited with his family. Onwe has since been arraigned and remanded in correctional custody.
A transnational child trafficking case on July 4, 2025, led to the arrest of Mirabel Oluebube, 21, and her accomplice Udenze Ifeanyi, 32, by Emene Division operatives. The duo trafficked a 14-year-old girl to Ghana, but the victim was rescued and reunited with her family. Both suspects were arraigned and remanded.
On July 3, 2025, Ogui Division officers, supported by Neighbourhood Watch, dismantled a child trafficking ring involving Chinenye Ozoagu, 16, her mother Ogochukwu Ozoagu, 31, and Chidinma Ukpai, 40. Investigations revealed Chinenye sold her newborn, delivered on June 30, for ₦1,400,000. The baby was later recovered in Nsukka, although the buyer escaped.
In another incident on June 30, 2025, the same division rescued an 11-month-old girl and arrested Ogbuzuru Ifebuche, 36, who attempted to abduct the child from a salon. Alerted by the mother’s cries, bystanders intercepted the suspect as she fled on a tricycle. Police re-arrested her after she was nearly lynched by an angry mob.
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Syndicates under investigation, public urged to remain vigilant
The Police Command confirmed that all 10 suspects are in custody, with further investigations underway to apprehend additional members of the trafficking networks. Once concluded, the cases will proceed to court for prosecution.
According to Police Public Relations Officer, SP. Daniel Ndukwe, CP Giwa praised the swift interventions of his officers and reiterated the Command’s unwavering commitment to dismantling child trafficking rings.
“We will continue to pursue and dismantle these syndicates to ensure the safety and future of our children,” he affirmed.
He further called on the public to provide credible and timely information that could assist in exposing hidden trafficking networks. Authorities have stressed that community vigilance remains a critical component of the fight against child theft.
Security experts note that these latest operations underscore the increasing sophistication of child trafficking syndicates and the importance of sustained inter-agency collaboration. The Command’s focus remains on prevention, rescue, and prosecution to safeguard vulnerable children across the state and beyond.
