Esther Salifu
In a series of coordinated operations between June 30 and July 16, 2025, the Enugu State Police Command successfully rescued six trafficked children and apprehended 10 suspects involved in both local and transnational child trafficking networks.
These efforts underscore the command’s commitment to combating child exploitation and safeguarding vulnerable minors.
According to a statement by the command’s spokesperson, SP Daniel Ndukwe, one notable operation on July 15 led to the arrest of 64-year-old Chiaha Josephine and 67-year-old Ozomma Christopher Ubanagum in Ezeagu Local Government Area. Two children, 16-year-old Loveth Mfonobong and 12-year-old Benjamin Alex Okon, were rescued during this operation. Josephine confessed to purchasing Loveth in 2021 for ₦900,000 and Benjamin in 2024 for ₦1.4 million.
In another incident on July 13, operatives from the Awkunanaw Division, in collaboration with Neighbourhood Watch members, rescued a one-year-and-seven-month-old male child and arrested 28-year-old Chiemerie Daniel Onwe. The child’s mother had reported him missing from the New Garriki cattle market in Enugu. The suspect was found carrying the baby and was promptly arrested.
A transnational case on July 4 involved the arrest of 21-year-old Mirabel Oluebube by operatives from the Emene Division. She was apprehended after trafficking a 14-year-old girl to Ghana. Oluebube’s confession led to the arrest of her accomplice, 32-year-old Udenze Ifeanyi. The victim was safely rescued and reunited with her family.
Further operations on June 30 resulted in the arrest of 16-year-old Chinenye Ozoagu, her 31-year-old mother Ogochukwu Ozoagu, and 40-year-old Chidinma Ukpai for allegedly running a child trafficking ring. Investigations revealed that Chinenye gave birth on June 30 and sold the newborn for ₦1.4 million with the assistance of her mother and Ukpai. The baby was rescued in Nsukka, though the buyer remains at large.
Additionally, on the same day, 36-year-old Ogbuzuru Ifebuche was arrested after attempting to abduct an 11-month-old baby girl from her mother’s salon in Enugu. The mother raised an alarm upon noticing the suspect leaving with the child in a tricycle, leading to the suspect’s apprehension by an angry mob and subsequent rescue by the police.
Commending the efforts of the operatives, Commissioner of Police CP Mamman Giwa stated, “We commend the operatives’ professionalism and swift responses. We urge parents and guardians to be vigilant and resist involvement in human trafficking under any guise.”
The command has reiterated its dedication to eradicating crimes against children and has called on the public to provide timely and credible information to aid in the fight against child trafficking. The arrested suspects will be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of investigations, while efforts continue to apprehend other members of the syndicates still at large.
