The Enugu State Police Command has recorded major breakthroughs in its fight against child theft and trafficking, rescuing six stolen or trafficked children and arresting ten suspects in a series of coordinated operations between June 30 and July 16, 2025.
On July 15, operatives from the Anti-Cultism Tactical Squad, in collaboration with Neighbourhood Watch personnel, apprehended 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. The suspects had renamed the children to conceal their identities. Josephine confessed to buying Loveth in 2021 for ₦900,000 and Benjamin in 2024 for ₦1.4 million. Another accomplice, 55-year-old Ilo Caroline, was arrested the next day for her role in the case.
In another operation on July 13, police officers from Awkunanaw Division rescued a one-year-and-seven-month-old male child after he was stolen from a cattle market in New Garriki, Enugu. The suspect, 28-year-old Chiemerie Daniel Onwe, was arrested while carrying the baby. The child has since been reunited with his mother, and the suspect has been arraigned and remanded.
A transnational trafficking incident was also uncovered on July 4 when operatives from Emene Division arrested 21-year-old Mirabel Oluebube for trafficking a 14-year-old girl to Ghana. Her accomplice, 32-year-old Udenze Ifeanyi, was later arrested through her confession. The victim was safely rescued and reunited with her family. Both suspects are currently in correctional custody following arraignment.
On July 3, Ogui Division officers arrested 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 her newborn for ₦1.4 million in collaboration with her mother and Ukpai. The baby was later rescued in Nsukka, although the buyer remains at large.
On the same day, the Ogui Police Division also rescued an eleven-month-old baby girl from a botched abduction. A 36-year-old woman, Ogbuzuru Ifebuche, allegedly attempted to steal the baby from a salon under the guise of fixing her nails. She was caught by the child’s mother while attempting to escape in a tricycle. The suspect was briefly assaulted by a mob before being rescued and rearrested by the police.
The remaining suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of ongoing investigations, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend fleeing members of the trafficking syndicates.
Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, psc, commended the swift response and professionalism of the operatives. He cautioned parents and guardians to remain vigilant and resist any form of child trafficking, even amid economic challenges. The Commissioner reaffirmed the Command’s resolve to combat crimes against children and called on residents to provide timely and credible information to law enforcement.