The Anambra State Police Command has arrested three women over their alleged involvement in a child trafficking syndicate accused of selling a four-year-old boy for N2 million.
The Command’s spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Sunday, July 12, 2026. He said the suspects were arrested by operatives attached to the Awada Divisional Headquarters at a motor park in Onitsha.
The suspects were identified as Florence Nnakuzie, 45, Hannah Ugah, 52, and Chinasa Daniel, 27.
According to Ikenga, preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects were members of a child trafficking network involved in selling children to buyers for varying amounts.
He alleged that Chinasa Daniel brought two children—a two-week-old baby and a four-year-old child—on separate occasions between June and December 2025 and handed them over to Hannah Ugah.
The police spokesperson said further investigations revealed that the four-year-old child was later handed over to Florence Nnakuzie, who allegedly sold the child for N2 million, while the two-week-old baby was allegedly sold to another woman who remains at large.
Ikenga said police operatives rescued some children during the operation and are continuing efforts to arrest other members of the syndicate.
He added that the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Ikioye Orutugu, described child trafficking as a serious violation of human rights and a crime against humanity.
According to the statement, the commissioner has directed the immediate transfer of the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Awka for a comprehensive investigation.
He also ordered investigators to intensify efforts to identify and apprehend all members of the trafficking syndicate, while launching coordinated operations to locate, rescue and reunite the trafficked children with their biological families.
The Command commended members of the public whose timely information led to the arrests and urged residents to continue providing useful intelligence to support the fight against crime.
